>>>>Now here is someone I think we both admire.
>>>>
>>>>http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/world/africa/petraeuss-lower-profile-at-cia-leaves-void-in-benghazi-furor.html?hp&_r=0
>>>>
>>>>I am 99% planning to go to Madison on Monday. I am trying to talk both my daughters into joining me. The last day before the election, democracy in action, a battleground state. And The Boss will be there for free. Mad Town is going to be rocking.
>>>
>>>now if that is not enough to make you smile and see the benefits of US style of [pre-]elections...
>>>
>>
>>I'm not going after all. I called my daughter and asked if she wanted to go with me. She said yes, she is going for sure, but there were some things I should know. The big thing is attendance will be limited. Emily said the last time Obama was in Madison she went there but was not allowed into the controlled area because there were too many people ahead of her. The other thing is that the rally is at 10 a.m. and the police will let people into the area at 7 a.m. She said if you aren't there at 7:00, forget it. To get there by then and have time to park (where?! -- parking is always tricky in Madison and will be even more so tomorrow) I would have to leave here by 4 a.m. That's just too early, especially not knowing whether I would even be able to attend. Oh well.
>>
>>Maybe I will see if I can go to the victory rally downtown on Tuesday night ;-) It is going to be indoors this time so attendance will probably also be limited.
>
>I can think of another reason attendance will be limited. ;)

Well, you would ;-)

I am not going to make a prediction other than that it will be very close. The way I am looking at the battleground states, Obama will win the electoral college if he takes Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin -- he is leading by at least a couple of points in all of them according to the latest polls -- and one of the smaller states that is still in play. That is do-able.