Fearless Predictions

In one week, all the votes will be cast, most will be counted, and projected winners will stand in front of euphoric crowds.

Prediction 1:  Obama 55.2%  McCain 41.1%

Prediction 2:  57 Democratic Senators (plus two Independents = 59), dropping to 58 when Joe Lieberman switches to R.

Prediction 3:  McCain announces his retirement from the Senate before the post-election Congressional Lame Duck session, allowing his Republican Replacement to be named by Democratic AZ Governor Janet Napolitano before other new senators are sworn in.

Prediction 4:  Only a net 16 additional Democratic Congressmen are elected, the only "downer" for the Donkeys.

Prediction 5:  Several well-known Congressmembers from both parties will lose. Most of these races are "under the radar" and few media are covering them.  One of the notable losers: Mary Bono Maxey Mack.

This last one is a doozy, Perhaps a tad "out there"

BONUS Prediction:  Convicted felon Alaska Senator Ted Stevens announces on the weekend before the election that he will not serve his term if elected, but urges voters to vote Republican. He will step down after being being sworn in, allowing Republican Governor Sarah Palin to name the 2-year replacement.  Mrs Palin names herself to the two-year term,

One week to go !

Vote Now !

On Sunday, I voted for Barack H. Obama.

Riverside County offers early voting at several locations throughout the county. The Westfield Shopping Center is the designated "Early Voting Site" for the Palm Springs area. The voting center is located in an empty store near the JCPenney end of the mall.  When I arrived at 430PM-ish, there were only three other voters. There were 10-15 poll volunteers and 10 electronic voting machines.

I had been a reluctant Hillary-ite from the beginning, and warmed up to her even more as she fought her way to the very bitter end.  I had significant fondness for John McCain back in the 2000 election cycle, but now he has become totally unrecognizable as a voice of moderation and independence. Caribou Barbie sealed his fate.

So  the calm and cerebral Illinois Senator got my vote.  His stammer will drive us bonkers for four (eight?) years. He will no doubt be stymied by the rabid rightwingers and soon-likely-skittish moderates on key issues.  But in the end, I want Democrats in charge of housing, health, transportation, and economic policies.

So that made it pretty easy to cast a vote for Obama.

On, and most importantly, I got my "I Voted" sticker, which I proudly wore for two days.

Less Than An Hour Away

In just under 45 minutes, the only Vice Presidential debate of 2008 will begin in my beloved hometown.  TV ratings for the first Presidential debate proed somewhat lackluster.  Tonight's Palin-Biden showdown will be through the roof.  It wouldn't surprise me if it were double.

Of course, the lefties will say that Biden won "hands down".  The FauxNewsers will squeal in delight that Mrs Palin "knocked it out of the park".

And most likely, Mrs Palin will rebound from what has been a disastrous couple weeks, shine up her folksy phrasings, and glisten under the bright lights of the Big City.  She will unleash a tart tongue here and there.  She will laugh and chortle, maybe even guffaw. She will be Everyone's Favorite PTA Mom. She will seem vulnerable and hurt at one point. But she won't speak anything deeper than the trite sloganeering. She will attack King Obama and swoon for Her War Hero. 

Biden needs to hold his tongue, check his wit. And be calm and quiet and reasonable.  One thing we have seen out of PalinFest 2008 is that she cannot handle silence. She continues to spew her slogans when the conversation hits a lull. She repeats them endlessly and cheerfully. She doesn't answer questions, she just talks.  And the more one listens, the more badly it comes across.  There's nothing wrong with a quick slogan here and there. But anyone who just repeats trite, cute comments is generally dismissed.

Then again, it worked for George W Bush.