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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Nov 4, 2014
November 4, 2014
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Posturing, Posing and Press Releases:
After millions and millions of dollars spent by both sides, the 2014 midterm elections are finally here:
--The House of Representatives: All 435 voting seats in the House are up for election. Additionally, elections will be held to select the delegates for the District of Columbia and four of the five U.S. territories, all of whom do not have voting rights. The only seat in the House not up for election will be the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, who serves a four-year term.
Republicans current control 233 House seats, with Democrats holding 199 seats. Two seats are vacant.
--Projection: Just about every prediction over the last several months has Republicans easily holding the House, and picking up perhaps eight or nine additional seats. There's no drama here.
--The Senate: Thirty-three seats in the Senate are up for election. Those seats are currently in Class II, meaning seats that were last contested in 2008. Twenty of the 33 seats up for grabs are currently held by Democrats, with the other 13 held by Republicans.
Democrats currently control 55 Senate seats (including two independents), with Republicans holding 45 seats.
--Projection: Republicans will gain seats. The question is, just how many? Just about every prediction has the GOP gaining at least four seats, with some projections going as high as eight seats. The GOP's magic number is a net gain of six seats. That number gives Republicans a majority for the next two years, and sets up a completely new dynamic against PRESIDENT OBAMA.
--Governors: There are governors' seats up for grabs today in three U.S. territories and 36 states. Republicans currrently have a 29-to-21 nationwide advantage.
--Projection: Most experts see Democrats picking up around three governors' seats. The top Democratic targets are RICK SNYDER in MI, RICK SCOTT in FL and SCOTT WALKER in WI. (Pacelli)Through yesterday, several major outlets were projecting a GOP Senate take over:
--The Washington Post: 97-percent.
--CNN: 95-percent.
--The New York Times: 70-percent. (Pacelli)Trash talk and satellite dish:
Things are getting even uglier over at "Mama" JUNE THOMPSON's house. TMZ.com reports "Honey Boo Boo's" Uncle Poodle (real name: LEE THOMPSON) has vowed to go for full custody of the adorable reality star if her mother doesn't completely sever her relationship with convicted child molester MARK MCDANIEL. Apparently he'd like to see his brother, MIKE "Sugar Bear" THOMPSON regain full custody once he gets back on his feet, but the poor guy is having some serious trouble and passed out due to high blood pressure and stress over the weekend. (Lee)
JUSTIN BIEBER isn't standing in the way of friendship. Star magazine reports that SELENA GOMEZ was at KENDALL JENNER's 19th birthday and even hugged the birthday girl after she blew out her candles. Kendall and her sister KYLIE had a falling out with Selena after the Coachella festival because they became good friends with Justin after Selena split with him.
Phone starter: Did an ex get in the way of your friendship? Do you regret it? (Myers)Grace notes from Vinny Marino:
In her continued quest for world domination, TAYLOR SWIFT is going on tour. She'll kick it off on May 20th, 2015, in Bossier City, Louisiana, and wrap up on October 31st in Tampa, Florida. In between are a few shows in Europe as well as a major show in London's Hyde Park on June 27th. Taylor is playing arenas and stadiums on this trek, including two nights at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, and one show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Her opening act for all of the North American dates will be VAN JOY with SHAWN MENDES aboard for a few shows. Pre-sales begin on Friday.
FYI: Taylor has been added to the lineup of performers at the "American Music Awards." She'll premiere the third official single from "1989," "Blank Space." ABC will air the awards, live on November 23rd. (Marino)What is the best drum intro of all time? The readers of Rhythm magazine took a poll and VAN HALEN's "Hot For Teacher" came in at number one. DAVE GROHL has three positions in the Top 10, with three different bands, and JOHN BONHAM of LED ZEPPELIN is in there twice. Here are the Top 10 best drum intros of all time:
10. "Where Eagles Dare" - IRON MAIDEN
9. "My Hero" - FOO FIGHTERS (Grohl)
8. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - NIRVANA (Grohl)
7. "Painkiller" - JUDAS PRIEST
6. "When The Levee Breaks" - LED ZEPPELIN
5. "A Song For The Dead" - QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE (Grohl)
4. "Rock & Roll" - LED ZEPPELIN
3. "You Could Be Mine" - GUNS N' ROSES
2. "The Spirit Of Radio" - RUSH
1. "Hot For Teacher" - VAN HALEN
Editor's note: I would have included "Over The Mountain" by OZZY OSBOURNE. (Marino) -
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