Vote

Quite a bit of data for a three-day holiday weekend, and most of it isn’t pleasing to the eye of those rooting for the Democrats. SurveyUSA is extremely bearish on the Dems out West, and the numbers out of Illinois from the Chicago Tribune aren’t much better. We also have some primary numbers out of New Hampshire, which is less than two weeks from heading to the polls. All that (and more!) in the weekend edition of the Wrap… THE U.S.

From my fourth-floor room at the Rio, I can see beautiful people frolicking in the glorious pool area in sparkling sunshine (albeit sunshine that is generating 109 degree heat). Me? I am ensconced in an easy chair. Typing a bunch of political news on a laptop. Never let it be said that I don’t love you people. With that bit of gratuitous whining out of the way, please enjoy the Wednesday edition of the Wrap, live from Las Vegas! THE U.S.

Primary night brought a boatload of surprises, and sets the stage for next week’s “Super Tuesday” electoral madness, with contests in close to a dozen states. Enjoy this breakfast edition of the Polling and Political Wrap… THE U.S. SENATE AL-Sen: Yes, there were Senate primaries in Alabama, too… Lost in all of the high-profile races was a pair of primaries to determine the party nominees for the U.S. Senate in November in the state of Alabama. Both went according to form.

To help local economies rebuild themselves in two countries plagued by war, the Business Council for Peace (Bpeace) presents the Race to Innovation , an online competition that is raising money for six social entrepreneurs. The Business Council for Peace is an international network of business professionals who believe that by encouraging local businesses, they can help war-torn communities rebuild peaceful, thriving economies and stable, equitable societies.

In a strong reflection of just how strong his standing remains within the die-hard conservative community, Texas Republican and 2008 presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul won the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll on Saturday, earning nearly one-third (31 percent) of the entire vote. The crowd, however, booed heavily when the results were announced.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, a titan of Alaska politics convicted of felony charges last month, fell behind by three votes Wednesday as the count resumed in his re-election bid. Democrat Mark Begich, the two-term mayor of Anchorage, began Wednesday down more than 3,200 votes but closed the gap as officials resumed counting early and absentee ballots. The tally was 125,019 to 125,016. Neither side expected to be able to claim victory Wednesday. By late afternoon, officials had counted more than 44,000 of the roughly 90,000 outstanding ballots.

Here was a great comment I saw on another blog … “Provisional ballots are useless. Most never get authenticated or counted. Don’t accept a substitute today. Be the squeaky wheel until you get the vote millions died to protect!”

Sarah Palin voted in Alaska this morning, and when asked who she voted for, she refused to answer, stating her right to privacy. Obviously, we know who she voted for. But, maybe she actually believes we don’t know who got her vote. Did Sarah Palin vote for Barack Obama? Or maybe Bob Barr? Maybe she thinks that she wasn’t allowed to vote for McCain? Who knows what is going on in that little head of hers. Video below via YouTube: Or did she write herself in? Wouldn’t surprise anyone, would it?

Queues of voters have formed at polling stations across the US as the election battle draws to a close.

Today is the day. You all know what to do.