BEGICH ahead by 814 votes!

[4themind]

according to mudflats <http://mudflats.wordpress.com/>
Here too <http://www.elect.alaska.net/data/results.htm>

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. I think Alaska might just pull this one out for us! Go Begich!....(nt)

[joshcryer]

2. I saw this on 538 and came to post the same thing!

3 votes is a statistical tie, 814 isn't too much better but it shows he's gaining ground!

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/11/begich-leads-by-814-going-into-thursday.html

[political_Dem]

3. Yay!!!!!!!! Let's hope that Begich can pull this out.

I'm hoping for you, Alaska! :)

[AtomicKitten]

4. OMG! A filibuster-proof Senate is becoming more and more doable.

I hope Democrats fight for Jim Martin. I hope they GOTV big time.

[MadBadger]

6. Yo do realize that's only if we keep Lieberman (and that would not include national security issues)

[AtomicKitten]

9. I do and that's the only way in hell he should be allowed to caucus with the Dems.

I still think he should be stripped of his Homeland Security chair because he neglected to do his job regarding Katrina and a number of other issues. He should lose the leadership position for that reason alone.

[MadBadger]

13. I think 60 is a mythical number and dont care if he leaves or not.

He says he will leave if we strip his chairmanship, I think we do it anyway

[LynneSin]

7. Just because we have 60 doesn't make us filibuster-proof

that just means we have the numbers technically to prevent filibusters. To get to that 60 would first require Joe Lieberman AND we've got those Nelsons from Florida & Nebraska who both run conservative. Hell I don't even trust my own senator, Tom Carper - the other senator from Delaware, to be a guarantee for filibusters.

The dream of a filibuster-proof senate is just that. I think we would need about 64-65 to get to 'filibuster-proof'

[mvd]

12. How likely is it that Democrats would filibuster Democratic bills, though?

I can see the Nelsons voting against things Obama wants, but would they really filibuster them?

[MadBadger]

15. Lieberman would

And I think we could get a filibuster proof majority for a lot of issues with 58 senators.

[mvd]

18. Caucuses with us, but isn't a Democrat

I agree, though, if we get to 58 or 59 without Lieberman I would feel pretty good. Lieberman doesn't matter THAT much.

[MadBadger]

19. Yes, but hes the only way we can reach 60

[usregimechange]

20. which isn't worth it imo but you can reach 60 without 60 in your caucus

[mvd]

21. If we have 58 or 59 (just Dems without Lieberman,) filibusters would be pretty rare

Am I right?

[MadBadger]

22. Exactly. Like Kyl today threatened a filibuster over Supreme Court nominees...

I'm willing to be Specter wouldnt go along with that, as well as maybe a Maine Senator or two.

[LynneSin]

23. Yes

It has happened in the past - remember the "Gang of 14" - a group of 14 democrats & republicans who worked a deal out to breakup the filibusters we were doing on Bush's judicial nomination. All 7 democrats are still in the senate (and 4 republicans).

It's nice to know we did achieve that number but it's foolish for us to think that we won't see filibusters because of it.

[mvd]

25. Fortunately, though, I think if we had that many seats..

the Democrats would feel pressure not to. They'd also look hypocritical. Some of the Repukes are vulnerable in elections next time. How many times have the Nelsons actually filbustered bills the Democratic majority supported?

[AtomicKitten]

32. Indeed but you are forgetting to factor in what I expect to be Obama's fancy arm-twisting.

The closer he gets to 60, the easier that will be.

[Lasher]

5. Happyhappyjoyjoy

Where the river is winding,
Big nuggets they're finding.
North to Alaska,
They're goin' North, the rush is on.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. Woo-hoo!

I KNEW we weren't all stupid.

[Robeson]

16. Thanks for keeping hope alive. I'm pulling for you!...

...:bounce:

[blondeatlast]

10. Sa-weet! Yes, they can-vibes to my ex-neighbors!

Lbounce:

[firedupdem]

11. Great News! n/t

[mvd]

14. K&R!

Even sweeter since Palin can't try to backdoor into the seat.

[usregimechange]

17. kick

[Bravo Zulu]

24. Good for Alaska,

the remaining votes come from Begich-friendly districts. Mark Begich is now an overwhelming favorite to win the Alaska Senate seat.

[Hieronymus]

26. Thank God for that.

[mollymongold]

27. Hallelujah!

[quakerboy]

28. and on

http://www.elections.alaska.gov/08general/data/results.htm

Don Young is still significantly ahead, though

[Monk06]

29. Alaskans don't want to be seen as rubes and Palin is the new RUBE-ella virus.

[happychatter]

30. there ain't no "60" but keeping Palin out is great AND... perhaps a recall initiative in Alaska?

actually, palin could be impeached? she did violate some ethics rules.

OR, could she be recalled with an initiative?

that would be nice too

If she gets her own show on Fox news... I'm guaranteed to never have to look at her or listen to her again

very nice indeed

[snowbear]

31. GooOOOooOOO Mayor B !!!!

~~~ ~~~

[DU GrovelBot]

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[GreenPartyVoter]

34. W00T!