Hatch and Stevens

I don't think that either Dave or Ilsa mentioned this, but, according to Politco, Orrin Hatch is calling for Bush to pardon Ted Stevens:

“He has served this country for over 50 years. I think most anybody would probably say, ‘Yeah, he should be [pardoned].’ I think most anybody would say it’s fair to say that.”

"Fair"? It's not exactly how I would view such an act. But the Wall Street Journal points out the great irony in this:

Part of Stevens’s problem, it seems is that he continues to proclaim his innocence — meaning that he would be asking for a pardon for something he says he didn’t do. “If you pardon someone, you’re assuming he’s guilty,” said Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). “And he maintains his innocence.”

Of course, Dick Durbin is thinking of asking Bush to commute George Ryan's prison term, so I guess anything goes in politics.

58! Begich Wins Alaska

The AP called the Senate race for Mark Begich. Such happy news on so many levels. First, we're one step closer to 60 seats (although, that includes Jackhole Joe). Second, it means that a convicted felon was not elected to the Senate. Third, no Sarah Palin in the Senate, for now, at least. But, the best news is that this is goodbye for Ted Stevens. Not only is he a felon, but he's widely acknowledged to be the meanest cuss in the Senate (and that takes some doing). Don't let the door hit you on your way out, Ted.

Morning Roundup

(just a little happy from last week in grant park)

Convicted felon Stevens looks to be losing in Alaska. Not only will the Dems pick up another Senate seat, but we also won't face the specter of a Senator Palin (who apparently hasn't gotten the memo that the campaign is over.)

In today's It's a New Day item: AIG has agreed to answer questions from readers to DailyKos. This is unprecedented--that a company will speak directly to Americans and bypass the MSM. Pretty cool and a testament to the work Kos is doing.

On his way out the door, Bush still thinks he did a dang good job.

Illinois Senate Watch: Insiders say Obama wants Valerie Jarrett for the seat, but I hear that she's not interested and will likely end up in his cabinet. Jesse Jackson Jr is totally gunning for the seat but is considered unelectable (downstate) in the 2010 election. Emil Jones is a possibility but supposedly he's ready to become a lobbyist and would only fill the seat for two years. I say let's find someone who is electable in 2010 and deserves to be there. Jan Schakowsky anyone? I did mention to a FOB's last night (who is also African American) that maybe we should fill the seat with another black legislator and he got pretty irritated and said that with Barack as president affirmative action should be over. So there.

Morning Roundup--Abbreviated Version

Dave or John, please fill in as needed.

Nate ponders what a tightening race might look like (this typically happens in the week leading up to an election):

"There is a lot of discussion going on about whether the national race is tightening; our model concludes that it is not. But what would meaningful 'tightening' look like in terms of the Electoral College?

Let me be oddly specific here. In order to conclude the Electoral College has tightened to the point where the outcome on November 4 is at least moderately uncertain, I would want to see the following between now and the election. Call it the 2/2/2 condition:

John McCain polling within 2 points in 2 or more non-partisan polls (sorry, Strategic Vision) in at least 2 out of the 3 following states: Colorado, Virginia, Pennsylvania.

If this condition is met, then I think there could be some drama on Election Night (though by no means would McCain be the favorite). If not, then it's very hard to imagine McCain winning."

Poll: Obama Ahead in Ohio, Way Up On Early Votes
A new SurveyUSA poll gives Barack Obama a 49%-45% lead in Ohio, with a ±3.9% margin of error. The key number from the internals is that 22% of the likely electorate has already voted, and they've gone for Obama by a 56%-39% margin, with the two candidates tied 47%-47% among the remaining 78%.

A new poll has Obama still running ahead in the 6 key red states. Also, an AP article shows a narrowing race in Montana. MONTANA!

Nate analyses the impact of Sen. Stevens conviction on the Alaska race. Simply put, it ain't good.

And for the policy wonks (mostly Bridget), news from DC that Reid is going to gently ease 90-year old Byrd from Chair of Appropriations.