Freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil started the day as the most endangered congressional incumbent in Maryland. He'll end it either as a re-elected representative or a lame duck.

Gus Sentementes filed this report from Kratovil's day:

Frank Kratovil arrived at the Fallston Diner eager to shake hands and have a cheeseburger. The 1st District Democratic incumbent had been up since 6 a.m., and visiting poll locations all morning.

"Everybody agrees it's going to be close," Kratovil said.

Accompanying him were his four well-behaved young sons, and his 3-month old daughter held by his wife. He entered the diner about 12:30 p.m. and shook hands with several seated patrons, and then sat down with his family, press secretary and driver at tables in a corner. Every few minutes, he popped up from his seat to greet new diners as they entered.

Tim Alston, 37, was surprised to see Kratovil, but the Democratic voter was happy to shake his hand. Alston, a maintenance worker, was eating at the diner counter, and declared to a reporter that he had already voted, including for Kratovil. "If those Republicans get back in, we're in trouble," Alston said.

Kratovil appeared relaxed and smiled frequently. He said that he had done his best in the run-up to the election. "I'm not sure what else I could have done to demonstrate to voters" his qualifications, he said.

"I tend to be more relaxed on election day than any other day," Kratovil said.

For lunch, Kratovil ordered a cheeseburger deluxe, cooked medium, with mayonnaise and fries, and a Diet Coke.

He had spent the morning visiting poll locations in Annapolis and Phoenix. His afternoon schedule includes stops in Phoenix, Abingdon and Pasadena.