Professor Alan Lichtman on why the polls were wrong and he was right.

Apologies if this has already been posted, but I think there's a ton of common sense in what he talks about.

It's taken me a week to watch or read news. I'm gutted and I'm not even American.

I really feel terribly sorry for all of you, more than the rest of us outside the US.

As I scramble for some modicum of comfort in an otherwise disastrous month, there are some positive items that should give us all hope.

There is an opportunity from the ruins of this campaign.

Yes, there will be losses due to the Repubs holding the WH/House/Senate but Trump depended on people who desperately want to see results. It is incumbent on the Democrats to "slow" the Republicans down, and then dance all over them for letting the people down. They have no excuse now, so if it isn't "working", the Democrats and the media must hammer the crap out of them.

We can all agree that the Republican Party is a seething ball of pus waiting to explode. The potential is that this ball of pus is only going to grow bigger and explode in 4 years time if things are perceived to be going downhill. The Democratic Party must be ready to take advantage. They need to get over the grieving quickly and be ready for January. Midterm 2018 starts now.

We also need Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the other liberal judges to hang on, in the hope that Democrats can take back the WH and Senate in 4 and 2 years time.

The biggest issue is who will face Trump in 4 years time ? I don't see anyone on the Dem side who is currently ready. It will have to be someone younger but with stature, who has that ? The likes of the Castros are ones for the future, Becerra (though older) is someone who I thought carried himself well but again doesn't have that stature. What about another Kennedy ? Michelle Obama would tick an awful lot of boxes. Whoever it is, realistically has 2 years to step forward and lead the charge against the Trump machine before a Presidential run.

I knew I should have switched over after Joy's program ended. Andrea Mitchell.

What a piece of work, she's going to be in bits on Tuesday night if Hillary wins. She's rubbishing the Clinton chances plus the Dem down ballot races as much as possible with the Repub shill, Flores.

111 years of pain - Victory in Chicago for Ireland !!!

For the first time in 111 years of trying, Ireland have just beaten New Zealand All Blacks 40-29 in Rugby Union, ironically in the same city as the Cubs, Chicago ! Soldier Field was a sea of Green as Ireland withstood an All Black onslaught to end worthy winners !

Autumn international


Ireland (25) 40
Tries: Murphy, Stander, Murray, Zebo, Henshaw Cons: Sexton 2, Carbery Pens: Sexton 2, Murray
New Zealand (8) 29
Tries: Moala, Perenara, B Smith, S Barrett Cons: B Barrett 3 Pen: B Barrett

Ireland produced a stunning display to record a first ever win over New Zealand at the 29th attempt and end the All Blacks' run of 18 straight wins.

Tries from Jordi Murphy, CJ Stander and Conor Murray helped the Irish to a 25-8 half-time lead, then Simon Zebo scored his side's fourth try in the corner.

The world champions fought back to move to within four points but Robbie Henshaw's late try ensured the victory.

The sides will meet in another Test match in Dublin in two weeks' time.

Irish land historic win

This was Ireland's first success over the Kiwis in 111 years and it came about in sensational fashion as Joe Schmidt's men repelled a stirring second-half comeback by Steve Hansen's side.

TJ Perenara, Ben Smith and Scott Barrett added to George Mola's first-half try for the New Zealanders but despite some sustained late pressure, they fell short for the first time in their past 19 encounters with top-tier nations.

The match was the first of four autumn internationals for both sides, played in front of a capacity crowd of 60,000 at Soldier Field in Chicago, a venue chosen in an attempt to increase the exposure of the sport.

Ireland fired by Foley memory

From the start, the Irish effort appeared to be fuelled by the memory of former international and Munster head coach Anthony Foley, who died suddenly last month.

Prior to kick-off Ireland lined up in the shape of a number eight, the jersey worn with distinction by Foley for many years, while their opponents performed their traditional pre-match haka.

Ireland made light of the aura of invincibility surrounding the three-time world champions in a first half which they mostly dominated to go in 25-8 to the good at the break.

Schmidt's side produced a performance of accuracy, purpose, pace and skill as they denied the All Blacks quality possession and repeatedly frustrated their efforts to win their own line-outs.

The Irish display bore echoes of the Test between the sides in Dublin in November 2013 when they built up a 19-0 lead, before ultimately losing 24-22 after conceding a last-gasp converted try, but there was to be no repeat of that outcome this time.

Thank you Bill Weld

He's on CNN, and completely defends Hillary on this latest Comey scandal.

Comey 's letter and Anthony Wiener

Really interesting tweet on the Sam Stein twitter stream


jason shevrin 🎃💀 ‏@jasonshevrin
@samsteinhp maybe from Anthony Weiner’s phone, emails to Huma at the Clinton domain? FBI is investigating Weiner.

Makes a lot of sense, but would an horrific act by Comey thru sins of omission in his letter.

Drum roll please....Top story on Morning Joe is .....

Wikileak emails/Clinton Foundation/Speaking fees

Wow, there's a surprise.

IF the polls in Utah say Trump then McMullin then Hill, should Democrat voters vote for McMullin?

Trump Ad (not so helpful!) on my local Main Street

MSNBC say that yet another Trump victim will be announced this afternoon.

It's Friday, it's Donnie's judgement day