I know this is better served on Monday or Tuesday of next week, but if you are an elections junkie like me, you are already filling in your brackets, so to speak.
So let's take our first shots (certain to be amended a dozen times or so before Tuesday). Lay em out, kiddies--your predictions for the following races:
Virginia Gov, Lt Gov, and AG
New Jersey Gov
California Special Election Props 73-80
San Diego (CA) Mayor
Detroit (MI) Mayor
St Paul (MN) Mayor
If you want to throw out one, or a couple, go right ahead. If I missed a key race next week, let me know in the comments section.
My first shots are below the fold...clip, save, and ignore!
VA GOV--
Kaine (D) 50
Kilgore (R) 46
Potts (I) 4
RATIONALE: Kaine seems to be surging at the wire, and having Warner coattails is far preferable to having Bushie coattails at this point.
VA LT GOV--
Byrne (D) 50+
Bolling (R) 49+
RATIONALE: My least confident pick. The numbers seem to be sliding Byrne's way, but she has only led in the most recent poll.
VA ATTY GENERAL--
McDonnell (R) 52
Deeds (D) 48
RATIONALE: Deeds has not led in any single poll. Am I the only one that finds it a bit surprising that the most conservative of the three Dems is in the most trouble??
NJ GOVERNOR--
Corzine (D) 52
Forrester (R) 45
Others 3
RATIONALE: This one actually could be a bigger blowout, but I am being cautious. I think the ex-wife thing is really going to blow back on Forrester.
CULLIFOAHNIA SPECIAL ELECTION (my home state)--
PROP 73 (Parent Consent on Abortion)--NO wins 51-49
PROP 74 (Teacher Tenure Changes)--NO wins 52-48
PROP 75 (Union Political Affairs)--NO wins 54-46
PROP 76 (Budgetary "Reform")--NO wins 64-36
PROP 77 (Redistricting "Reform")--NO wins 61-39
PROP 78 (Drug Company Drug Plan)--NO wins 54-46
PROP 79 (Consumer Group Drug Plan)--NO wins 58-42
PROP 80 (Energy Re-Regulation)--NO wins 66-34
RATIONALE: I actually crunched numbers instead of playing my hopes here (if it were my hopes, 74-76 would get blasted in a landslide). If 73 and 74 pass, I won't be shocked.
SAN DIEGO MAYOR:
Sanders (R) 54%
Frye (D) 46%
RATIONALE: My hope is otherwise...but this IS San Diego.
DETROIT MAYOR:
Hendrix (D) 52%
Kilpatrick (D) 47%
RATIONALE: SurveyUSA shows a late incumbent surge. Will it be enough to save Kilpatrick?
ST PAUL MAYOR:
Coleman (Real D) 61%
Kelly (Faux D) 39%
RATIONALE: If the UM poll is to be believed, it will be even wider. How does that Bush endorsement taste now, Mr. Mayor?
UPDATE (2 PM PST): Because I listen to the will of the people (unlike a certain governor I know), add the Four Ohio Referenda to the list.
My guesses (and they are just that) is that Issue 2 passes 56-44, Issue 3 passes 56-44, Issue 4 (maybe Ahnuld helps in Ohio, since he is a freaking anchor in CA) fails narrowly 48-52, and Issue 5 fails 45-55.
I am ready for your guesses....INCOMING!!