It's the most wonderful time of the mid-years, so get the pretzel rods and pizza ready...

"Electioneering"/Radiohead



I voted after work, so my precinct was up to Ballot 273 when I left at 6:00. Every parking space in the lot was taken. Some controversy, as some recently moved people to the area were told to go to this precinct. Chaos ensued.

This is my ballot.

Federal:

Fisher for Senate (Democrat)
Kucinich for Congress (Democrat)

State:

Strickland for Governor (Democrat)
Cordray for Attorney General (Democrat)
Pepper for Auditor (Democrat)
Cantrell for Treasurer (Libertarian)

Smith for State Senator (Democrat)
Williams for State Rep (Democrat)

O'Connor for State Supreme Court Chief Justice (Republican)
Lanzinger for State Supreme Court Justice (Republican)
Pfeifer for State Supreme Court Justice (Republican)

County:

McCormack for County Executive (Independent)
Crossman for County Council (Green)

Court of Common Pleas:

Astrab (not McCafferty)(Republican)

With that, it finally comes to a head tonight.

Finally, no more Jimmy Dimora sneaking around in cuffs in unrelated political ads.

No more John Boccieri-Jim Renacci ads. How much did they and their minions spend?

OK, Ted, I get it. Kasich worked for Lehman Brothers.

Sorry, "Orange Boy", you didn't get my vote.

The "Yawn and Yawner" battle between Portman and Fisher finally hits full snooze mode.

I think Dennis has this in the bag, doesn't he? I saw my first Peter Corrigan ad last night. Nate Silver had this at 57-40, Kucinich.

This is probably going to be a big night for the Republicans. Let's see what type of gains they will get. Figuring about 20 seats are traditionally Republican and those will flip back, how about 24 more in the House for a total of 44. I'm looking at 53 for the D's in the Senate.

Here is a guide on what to look for as you are watching the returns. Good stuff, keys in on crucial House races. Keep it handy by your TV.

Meal of Links

I failed to mention the IAVA came out with their Congressional Report Card last month. If you recall, each congressman is graded on what they do for veterans.

In the House, Steve LaTourette and Dennis Kucinich both get a C, down from a B and an A in 2008. Tim Ryan, Marcy Kaptur and Betty Sutton all dropped from an A+ to a C, a C and a B. John Boccieri gets an A+ his first time around and Zach Space maintains his A from 2008. Marcia Fudge's first grade was a C. John Boehner gets a D, down from a B.

In the Senate, Sherrod Brown gets a B, the departing George Voinovich gets a D.

The only Senator with an A+ is Blanche Lincoln, who will be trounced in Arkansas tonight.

Notable Senate F's: DeMint and Coburn (McCain maintains his "D" and lets end this fallacy, once and for all, that he is a friend of the military. He is not.)

Nude scenes! With no nudity!

You are what you watch. I like "Family Guy", so I'm a rule breaker.

Game show hosts.Right-wingers.

Such a nice story. If that's O.J. walking by, the girl gets spiked.

"Hot in Cleveland" is on the fast track. new episodes already in January.

Roseanne Cash tells John Boehner (Asshat) to cease and desist. He's been using The Man in Black as a punchline, and we don't take too kindly to that stuff.

Man U gets on the Chicharito bandwagon. Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole...

Exercise Yard

The Giants won the World Series last night and I'm not sure anyone cares.

They had unbelievable pitching from September 1 on til the end of the regular season:

19-10 record.

Six shutouts.

Only 5 games with 4 or more runs allowed.

And that pitching never left them in the postseason, as they had four shutouts in 14 games.

Tim Lincecum, the pot-smoking Freak, with the win. Lincecum probably represents the biggest "What If?" in the last decade of Indians baseball. We'll never know what may have been, after he was drafted by the Indians in 2005 in the 42nd round and deferred signing. The following year the Giants picked him first, with the 10th pick of the 2006 draft.

Visitor

2 Down: Goldie of "The Banger Sisters" (4 letters) Answer: Hawn