SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:53 P.M. ET: 

YES, IT'S MASSACHUSETTS – From the Boston Globe:  "Republican Charlie Baker has opened up a 9-point lead over Democrat Martha Coakley, 45 percent to 36 percent, according to a new Globe poll that depicts a far more comfortable advantage than either candidate for governor has enjoyed in months.  The poll reflects an October surge in independent voters toward Baker’s column. It was independents who provided Governor Deval Patrick with his margins of victory in 2006 and 2010."  A Republican governor in Massachusetts.  Love it.

I JUST CAN'T WAIT – From the New York Post:  "Michelle Obama is being urged by her husband’s true believers to move to California when she leaves the White House and to pursue the US Senate seat expected to be vacated by Dianne Feinstein in 2018.  The oldest member of the Senate, Feinstein, 81, has strongly suggested this will be her last term, Richard Turley will report in Orbmagazine.com on Thursday.
The first couple haven’t said where they’ll go when Barack Obama leaves office in 26 months, but Los Angeles is the leading contender.  'Barack could golf year-round, and Michelle could emerge from his shadow after 20 years and retake control of her own life,' a person familiar with their thinking told Orb."  Oh, and maybe a President Michelle.  Just kidding, just kidding.  I hope.

SUCH A WELCOME – Democrat Jeanne Shaheen is locked in a neck-and-neck race for her Senate seat, trying to fight off a challenge from Scott Brown.  And no outside help needed, apparently.  From The Politico:  "Pushed Thursday night on whether she would want President Barack Obama to campaign with her as she seeks a second term, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said it doesn’t make sense and Obama is 'exactly where he needs to be' — in Washington.  'We have a lot going on,' Shaheen said during an hourlong debate with Republican Scott Brown at NH1’s studio in Concord, which was broadcast live on WBIN-TV and was co-sponsored by CNN. 'I don’t think it makes sense for the president to come to New Hampshire right now.'"  Geez.  Do you recall when Obama was treated like a god?  Ah yes, I remember it well.

October 25, 2014