ELECTION BRIEFS – AT 7:53 P.M. ET:  We'll be running regular election briefs until this year's election is decided:

*  RealClearPolitics now has the new Senate pegged as an even split, with 50 Republicans and 48 Democrats, with two independents who vote with the Dems.  No toss ups.

*  RealClearPolitics also has the House pegged as 210 Republicans, 186 Democrats, with 39 toss ups.  The Dems would have to win 32 of the 39 toss ups to overcome the GOP lead, assuming the other 7 races went to Republicans.

* By contrast. some races are being locked up by Democrats, but all are on the East Coast, which Barry Goldwater suggested be sawed off and sent out to sea.  I would agree, but I live there, and I like visiting with my children.

Carl Paladino, the GOP candidate for governor of New York, is justifiably losing ground to terminally obnoxious Andrew Cuomo.  A plague on both their houses.  Paladino is a hothead who throw tantrums and uses racial language in e-mails.  Fundamentally, a jerk with money.  Cuomo will win.

In Connecticut, all polls show insufferable Democratic nominee Richard Blumenthal, who lied about his service record, pulling comfortably ahead of GOP nominee Linda McMahon.  This could have been an upset for the GOP, but McMahon, who actually has a very affecting style, is weighed down by her history with the Worldwide Wrestling Federation, not considered a class act in Connecticut.

Christine O'Donnell is way behind in Delaware, and, barring a miracle, will lose to very liberal Democrat Chris Coons, who may be to the left of Obama.  O'Donnell's nomination, won in a primary, was a serious GOP error.  She's a devoted young woman, but has more baggage than American Airlines. 

Elsewhere in the country, though, signs are good for the Republicans.

But there are 26 days to go.  Things change...we hope for the better.

October 7, 2010