Rothenberg's final predictions

He's predicting a big night for the Dems, according to Political Wire's preview.

The Senate: "While Senate control is in doubt, with Democrats most likely to win from 5 to 7 seats, we do not think the two sides have an equal chance of winning a majority in the Senate. Instead, we believe that state and national dynamics favor Democrats netting six seats and winning control of the United States Senate."

The House: "Going into the final days before the 2006 midterm elections, we believe the most likely outcome in the House of Representatives is a Democratic gain of 34 to 40 seats, with slightly larger gains not impossible. This would put Democrats at between 237 and 243 seats, if not a handful more, giving them a majority in the next House that is slightly larger than the one the Republicans currently hold. If these numbers are generally correct, we would expect a period of GOP finger-pointing and self-flagellation after the elections, followed by a considerable number of Republican House retirements over the next two years."

Governors: "With Republican seats like Idaho, Alaska, and Nevada in play for state-specific reasons, and Minnesota vulnerable to a Democratic wave, the ceiling for possible Democratic gains is high. We have narrowed our earlier projection from Democratic gains of 6-10 to 7-9."

If you want to be optimistic, Rothenberg's predictions have been pretty good in the past. As have Cook's for that matter.

If you want to be pessimistic, this is the guy who claimed Bowers was clueless for wanting 80 credible challengers this year.

I'll have my predictions on Monday, for all the good they'll be. I've been wrong the last two cycles so don't look to me for confidence inspiring numbers.

Will I be optimistic or will I be more pessimistic than the developing CW? Actually, I don't know. We'll all find out Monday. Me included.

(Though I can say for sure that I'm really gung-ho on the governorships.)