Yes I know the date. but Harry Reid hit a grand slam today. On the eve of important midterm elections he changed the debate and sent the republicans reeling. Recent polls gave encouragmenet to the Democratic candidates for governor in NJ and VA, and CA's odious propositions were fighting an uphill battle for passage. However, the Ohio initiatives were in trouble. I think today's action give our efforts in Ohio a fighting chance, and seal the deal in the other races
I haven't read any diarys to this effect, but Bush tried to pull an October Surprise last week. Facing an unknown number of indictments, he managed to end out the election cycle with several days of news coverage about him firing up his base. He followed up the Libby indictment with a preplanned and well coordinated Miers withdrawel and Alito nomination. Rasmussen Reports (www.rassmussenreports.com) showed a six point in Bush's approval rating over a three day period (although it sank today). The White House made sure that the information about her resignation stepped on the Scooter Libby story. Then quashed stories about her withdrawel with an immediate announcement of Alito. Nicely done from a political standpoint.
Now, HERE COMES HARRY!!! He shuts down the Senate, in one fell swoop he changes the debate about the war (a hit), Scooter Libby (make it a double), and the ability of Republicans to end debate simply by invoking the nuclear option (a triple at least) . Now alot of talking heads are going to have to catch up on Roberts Rules of Order (I see Byrd's hand in here somewhere) in order to keep reporting on all of these issues. He emboldens Democratic voters across (officially a homerun). Considering that he also changed newscasts across the country, putting Republicans on the defensive just before the election and, to top it all off, we get a least a full news cycle (I measure it three days) of what this means for future indictments, the impact on Alito's nomination, and the run-up to war (grand slam). Thank you Senator Reid.