I’m not to big on predictions but I’ll kinda-sorta throw some out.  Throw out some of yer own in the comment thread.  At least you can be anonymous there you jerks…

8th LD

Larry Haler will win big.  Rob Welch was arrested Sunday night over a family fight and his threatening suicide.  Even if he was to win the vote, I doubt he would be able to serve so the numbers really don’t matter.  Welch will be lucky to get 35%.

Carol Moser will defeat the Pentecostal tongue speaking Brad Klippert despite WSRP trying to tip it to the R column and negative mailings with serious biblical implications if you subscribe to the 9th Commandment (Last I looked there were no amendments)

Carol has a solid record in this district and should win a pretty close one regardless with 52%. Klippert relies on the R next to his name but if only people knew things like… Klippert claims he knows more about transportation because he has driven on I-5 (he actually said this in a ed-board meeting)… and many more stellar hits from his past primary run against Mike McGavick for Senate.

I hate to make predictions on some of the other races that matter to me because I worry for a loss, and I really, personally like those candidates. And I’m a damn worry wort!! But here goes…

Darcy Burner by 2 points. It could be closer.  The negative attacks by Republicans are backfiring (think Libby Dole) and Darcy should go over the edge.  She deserves it.  One of the smartest candidates I have ever met.

George Fearing.  It pains me to think George will lose this election.  So I won’t. And with that how the heck would we ever know with only an internal poll showing a 5 point deficit, it’s hard to count him out. If Fearing wins, it will be by a razor thin margin with the down ballot votes lifting him over the top.  But if history has its way he will be barely get 45%.  But this election seems to be everything but about History and more about the future so I’ll hold out hope for the outstanding candidate that is my friend George Fearing.

Peter Goldmark sets a new standard for Lands Commissioner.  But this is another tough race.  Despite incumbents problems of sexual harassment, environmentally unfriendly political alliances and a track record of some significant failures, this race feels like a judicial race and we are just now in this state getting used to money being pumped into those races.  The advantage Goldmark has is not only his great campaign, but his name recognition and reputation from the 06 congressional run.  But… for me… it’s just too close to call.

For the Governor race I will say only this before I go fold laundry, feed my kid and get ready for a big day tomorrow.  If Dino Rossi wins, I’m moving to Oregon. He is that evil.

(Oh, and that Oregon thing… I have a back up plan if Smith wins there.  Check back after the election)

[Update:  Oh yeah... there is a Presidental race too:  Obama in a Landslide.]