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SENATE RACES
It’s not looking good for Al Franken in Minnesota. The statewide recount isn’t going particularly well for him. Most believe it’s unlikely he’ll come up with the votes to overcome Norm Coleman’s lead. Georgia isn’t likely to prove fruitful for the Dems either. Polls generally give (R) Saxby Chambliss a four to six point lead over (D) Jim Martin in advance of Tuesday’s runoff.
Democrats figure to hold 56 seats when the 111th Congress convenes in January. They get two votes closer to filibuster proof status by caucusing with Bernie Sanders and Joe Lieberman. With Republicans in rough shape nationally, it shouldn’t be hard to find a couple of issue-based converts. The last thing the GOP needs during the new president’s honeymoon period is to be seen as playing the role of obstructionist.
PRESIDENTIAL MAPS
Work continues on the new presidential maps. I’m hoping to have them completely finished by year’s end, if not sooner. A partial 2008 is up with updated vote totals. I poured over Alabama’s write-ins. I don’t recommend trying this at home. There were plenty of scattered votes for wrestlers, porn stars, and dead people. Ron Paul and Hillary Clinton did the best amongst the seriously living.
New maps for 1984, 1996, 2000, and 2004 are up in various stages of completion.
OBAMA TURNS TO NATIONAL SECURITY
Barack Obama’s national security team will take shape this week. Hillary Clinton’s nomination for Secretary of State figures to steal all of the headlines. Bob Gates will stay on as Defense Secretary. Retired General Jim Jones is the president elect’s choice for National Security Adviser. Susan Rice gets the post of UN Ambassador.
Pundits in the middle and on the right seem to like the choices, while the left isn’t crazy about their tone. Obama’s core primary constituency fears a move toward a more status quo foreign policy, particularly with regards to Iraq.
RUSH TO CALM TENSIONS IN INDIA
The West is appealing to an understandably shaken India for calm in the wake of last week’s terrorist siege of Mumbai. There’s plenty of finger-pointing in New Delhi following the ambush which killed nearly 200 people. The Indian government says it’s raising security to a “war level” while signaling a Pakistani link to the deadly attacks, which have re-opened old wounds between the neighbors.
The Indian people are angry and minister level resignations in New Delhi aren’t going to make anyone happy. Seven years removed from 9/11 and with London and Madrid still fresh in European minds, there’s an appreciation for the mood on the ground. The West hopes early intervention can keep New Delhi from striking out at Pakistan as a way of satisfying the masses. Any saber-rattling between the two nuclear-armed nations is sure to be of global concern.
NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE COMING INTO FOCUS
Four weeks remain in the NFL season. Yesterday cleared up some stuff.
Starting with the NFC, It’s unlikely the Eagles, Saints, or Packers will make the playoffs. Each of the three would have to walk the tightrope of perfection to have even the most remote chance of playing into 2009. The Giants own the top spot in the NFC. Carolina is likely to grab the two. Arizona and Minnesota will be three-four or four-three. That leaves Tampa Bay at five and Dallas, Atlanta, or Washington at six.
On the other side, Tennessee gets the one, while either Pittsburgh or Baltimore will claim the other bye. Denver is a good bet for the three-hole. I’ll say either the Jets or Dolphins grab the four, with the loser going home. The Colts, who own a tie-breaker with the Steelers and Ravens, take five, while the Baltimore/Pittsburgh loser gets six.
The Giants never seem to do well in big spots against Minnesota. I could see a desert loss in the championship game for the Vikings. Imagine Kurt Warner trying for a second ring against Jeff Fisher. The Titans squeak by Pittsburgh to get there. But, remember I’m not exactly batting “a hundred” these days. And, I do mean “a hundred.”
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Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Electoral College, India, NFL, Obama transition, politics, senate races, Tennessee Titans
