1. Zogby now gives Romney a clear lead in California. But the national poll shows him barely ahead of Huck and way behind McCain. A few narrow victories in the South and in California will hardly offset the landslide coming in most of the country.
John will be able to run the convention and campaign as he pleases after tomorrow.
2. Obama really is closing fast and may well more or less tie Hillary tomorrow. If that happens, he’ll pick up lots more senatorial and other prominent endorsements. If I really were to bet the plantation on something on which I could still get good odds, it would be on an impending Clinton collapse. Let me say once more: Nobody should be happy about this.
3. The Superbowl is, generally speaking, the most overhyped and boring event in sports. But obviously not this time. Two great quarterbacks struggling--finally with some brilliant success--against tough and smart defenses...Even Tom Petty showed up ready.
Despite his avowed confidence, the prospect of more serious losses has at least succeeded in prompting McCain to appeal directly and more forthrightly to conservative voters; I've read that he's been running adds explicitly reassuring the base that's he's a good social conservative. Still, I doubt that this has chastened him in an indelible way given that McCain's problems with conservatives is a kind of organic outgrowth of his personality--at this stage there's only so much room for transformation on that score.
On this, my Golden Anniversary year as a New York, now New Jersey Giants fan, the Maramen gave me a fine reward for my loyalty. Thank you, gentlemen.