Priceless

From Wonkette, just because I'm endlessly amused, another lesson about being careful what you put on Facebook. Any thoughts on how this one will play in Tennessee?? (And yes I'm being a malicious gossip).

It has come to my attention...

That there is a journalist on RedState under the alias young-pundit. For the record, it's not me - but his first entry seems like a good one and I'm sure he'll be putting more good stuff otu there in the future. So from youngpundit to young-pundit, bravo and encore!

Webb's Win...and What it Means

This will be brief; I've got guests but I can't resist putting my thoughts out on Jim Webb's victory in Virginia today. Webb beat Harris Miller, and convincingly so, doing well even in districts and precincts perceived to be pro-Miller strongholds. However not too much can be really read into this: turnout was about 3.5%, with less than 150,000 people showing up to exercise their most obvious political freedom. So really people could care less; maybe Democrats at large think Allen's invincible regardless of candidate. And I think he is. I don't think even the vaunted Jim Webb can beat George Allen. But what I think he can do is bruise Allen (and force him to spend so heavily) so as to prevent him from really laying the groundwork for a Presidential bid. In any case, Webb's victory may again speak, with the support of the Tester victory and the detraction of the Busby loss in the CA-50, to the power of the netroots. Webb got in late and didn't have the money, but he still won. He is more than a sacrificial lamb on the altar of George Allen, but how much more remains to be seen.

More Crunchable Numbers

The Granholm-Devos race is getting interesting; Kos has the latest numbers here. That DeVos is up probably says something about the way the economy's behaved with Granholm in office (I'll give you a hint - pisspoor). Michigan voters want change and want a guy who can improve their ailing economy, and they'll start by ditching Granholm in November. (With data like this the exultant Democratic claims of this being their year of revolution seem slightly bizarre).

UPDATE
As my anonymous critic correctly points out, there is indeed a Rasmussen poll coming out this afternoon showing Granholm up 44%-42% on DeVos - numbers that even Kos admits are "well under the 50 percent "safe" mark;" a margin that minute is also, in all likelihood, within the margin of error...still feeling so confident?

And on outsourcing - outsourcing, experts say, produces a cumulative churning effect wherein although jobs are lost, overall there is actually net gain of jobs...but outsourcing aside maybe Michigan voters are ready for an end to Granholm's tax and spend policies?

Bob Byrd...

is now the longest-serving Senator in history, surpassing even Strom Thurmond and others as of yesterday. Hasn't West Virginia seen the same face long enough? Isn't now as good as any time for a change? John Raese is a good man and would make a great Senator and heir to Byrd's seat.

AZ Senate

The latest Rasmussen Reports poll in Arizona shows that Pedersen has failed to make a real dent in that state, probably because of his failure to take a strong stand on immigration. The report also indicates that McCain's stance on immigration, the sort of posture favored by Pedersen, is seen as less popular; I have a growing feeling that McCain's immigration bill will be lethal to his presidential aspirations in 2008. Though I have been wrong before.

Elections Update

Big night tommorow - VA primaries, Webb and Miller. I have a suspicion that Miller might win, based primarily on what might be his strength in populous urban areas. I'm not entirely sure how a conservative Democrat will play in truly blue districts. Either candidate's victories will have serious implications for George Allen in November. I think Miller may be the easier challenge; if it's Webb, however, Allen's got a run for his money.

Still sorting out Edwards' surprisingly strong showing in that Iowa straw poll. I suppose I shouldn't be entirely surprised, Iowa is still union country and Johnny E. is still a union fantasy. A Vilsack endorsement in December 07 might ice his victory there, but I don't think he'll get the nomination...which all of a sudden means the focus shifts to New Hampshire, (random Western caucus state?), and South Carolina, states where HRC may not run well. Feed it into the gristmill, let's see what you come up with.