As I've wondered before: is there any poll out there which can demonstrate a correlation between its August numbers and November results? If so, they should be tooting their own horn, and I don't hear any.

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman pointed out in his blogger conference call Wednesday that Lamont's winning vote total amounted to exactly 7.25% of registered voters in CT. IF they all show up in November, and there is a 50% turnout - high for recent midterms - he will start with 14.5% of the vote. It's a bit of a stretch to declare "Connecticut has spoken."

The sad fact is, as much as political junkies like us are tuned into the scene all year every year and energized in election years, most of the people who actually vote don't start paying attention at all until the last few weeks even in Presidential years.

Should we be concerned? You bet. Will we have to work as hard or harder than ever on GOTV? No doubt. Are we beaten? Not in a pig's eye.

When I hear the gloom and doom from pundits and pollsters this far from the election, I'm reminded of Rocky Balboa's rematch in Rocky III, where he lets Clubber Lang hit him at will: "Go ahead, hit me again! Harder! It's not so bad!"

Lang had the strength to hurt him, but not to knock him out.

God bless you Alex. How refreshing it is to finally hear some calm, rational and level-headed analysis. I was beginning to think there wasn't any left. Is it just me, or is the timing of all this doom and gloom from the so-called experts just a bit peculiar. First Looney Larry Sabato, then Charlie Cook, and then Jeff Birnbaum of the Fox panel basically telling us we might as well take our marbles and go home. And all coming out today. I've lost count of how many times the Democrats have won back the house and/or senate this year and I'm still waiting for the elections to be held. But these clowns who are oh for how many on bringing the Democrats back to power make their pronouncement during a week when we start to see some positive poll movement in the Pennsylvania and Montana senate races, conseravative primary victories in Michigan and Colorado House races to replace Rinos, evidence that the Michigan senate seat may be in play, the Democrat party lurching toward the cut and run nutroots, more and more indications that the base will turn out if for no other reason to keep the Democrats from taking over, and a foiled terrorist attack due in no small part to Blair and Bush working together. I look at these events and I just don't see Democrats with the mojo. Yet in all their analysis they count every close race being won by the Democrats, and ignore every Republican pickup opportunity. I'll leave the details to the experts, but something just doesn't smell right.

Ken