TODAY IS THE DAY TO HELP PRESERVE DEMOCRACY IN THE USA

I yesterday said I would today post part 2 of train trips.  Well, I'll do that later this week.

Today is Midterm-Elections Day, and I feel compelled to lay out the foundation for what will be a very interesting day.

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  For one, voting has begun in the whole nation, so I'm cheered that Democracy has withstood the first challenge.  There is still that matter of accepting the results, but my sense is that this matter will soon be confirmed.  However, there is no doubt in my mind that the next 26 months will determine the future of the USA. 

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  In any case, I offer this posting as background to help you watch the unfolding drama today from your television set.
• CNN coverage started yesterday, and will re-start at 11AM ET today
• FOX News from 1PM ET.
• MS NOW also began yesterday, but goes full bore at 1PM, led by Rachel Maddow.  Then tomorrow, Morning Joe will host a special edition on their November 4 show.

Expectations are varied.  Ranges from a Blue Tsunami to Blue Wave to Purple Tide to what our President just said.

• From Time magazine this morning.

Less than 24 hours before Election Day, President Donald Trump railed against the Democratic Party and contended that if his supporters show up to the polls, Republicans “will win in a landslide.”

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  I might add that Trump is on the cover of the latest issue of Time I am now reading.  This was the 56th time he has commanded that position.  Famous, but maybe infamous is a more appropriate description, for he just passed President Richard Nixon, who appeared 55 times.  For the record:  President Ronald Reagan had 46 appearances and President Bill Clinton 40 times.

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  Democratic Senator and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is "nauseously optimistic" about retaking the Senate.
• But Reuters lists 6 reasons why Democrats may fall short of a midterm landslide.
• Only 40 to 50 House seats of the 435 are truly competitive.
• About the Senate. key flipping or breakthrough Democratic victories must occur in states Donald Trump won by double digits in 2024.
• Young, Black and Hispanic voters generally don't vote much in midterm elections.
• Republicans held a cash advantage of several hundred million dollars heading in the final weeks of this campaign.
• Previous polls have frequently underestimated Republican support.
• Socialism attacks could resonate.

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  There seems to be a kind of consensus that Democrats should flip the House, and have an advantage of around 20 seats when they meet in January.  The Senate remains iffy, but the best guess is that Democrats can successfully flip this body, and have anywhere from a one to three seat voting advantage.  Watch this video.
• Click on this Cook Political Report to assess the situation in the Senate.

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  There are 36 governors' races today.  They control local elections and are the first line of defense for Democracy.
• In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy was going okay until they released that campaign ad featuring opponent Acton's mother.  Not only might Acton now win, but also influences an important Senate election.

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  Texas incumbent Governor Greg Abbot won by double digits in 2022.  This year will be a lot more competitive agains Democratic State Rep. Gina Hinojosa.
• Georgia has billionaire Republican Rick Jackson against Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms.  If she wins, she would become the first female Black governor in U.S. history.

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  CNN has a video on which midterm races will give us early clues on election night.

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  The Hill indicates:  Democrats have a 73% chance to control the Senate.
• Axios says:  Final polls, models and markets see a "blue tsunami."

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  Betting odds.  From Polymarket.  Surprising numbers!
• Which party will win the House?
• Democrats = 95%
• Republicans = 6%
• U.S. Senate
• Democrats flip both House and Senate = 76%
• Republicans retain control in Senate = 24%
• For Senate from Texas?
• James Talarico (D)  = 76%
• Ken Paxton (R) = 26%
• For Senate from Michigan (but what about the recent flap this weekend???)
• Abdul El-Sayed (D) = 76%
• Mike Rogers (R) = 24%
• Maine Senate.
• Troy Jackson (D) = 71%
• Susan Collins (R) = 30%
• Kansas Senate.
• Adam Hamilton (D) = 64%
• Roger Marshall (R) = 37%
• Ohio Senate
• Sherrod Brown (D) = 73%
• John Husted (R) = 28%
• Iowa Senate
• Josh Turek (D) = 52%
• Ashley Hinson (R) = 50%
• South Carolina Senate
• Darline Graham Nordone (R) = 70%
• Annie Andrews (D) = 31%
• Alaska Senate
• Mary Peltola (D) = 71%
• Dan Sullivan (R) = 31%
• Texas Governor.
• Gregg Abbot (R) = 61%
• Gina Hinojosa (D) = 40%
• Georgia Governor
• Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) = 74%
• Rick Jackson (R) = 28%

To close, the best midterm songs?

• Spotify lists 91 songs, with #1 being Willie Nelson's Vote 'Em Out and #91, This Land is Your Land by Peter, Paul and Mary.
• The League of Women Voters has This Land is Your Land as #1, but sung by Woody Guthrie.
• Numero has a roundup of 10 of the best political campaign music playlists.  All Democrats:  Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Biden/Harris, Bernie Sanders. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jon Ossoff.

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