TWO WEEKS TO GO – AT 8:44 A.M. ET:  Now it gets really interesting.

If there's one thing I've noticed in examining the trends and polls it's that the election seems frozen in place.  There's been very little movement in most of the key races.  Sharron Angle appears to have gained a bit in her battle against Harry Reid, and Christine O'Donnell appears to have advanced a little against whoever she's running against in Delaware.  But there's been no jolt. 

Will that remain?  Pollsters say that the people begin seriously concentrating on the race in the last two weeks, but I wonder if that's true this time.  This midterm has attracted more attention, and more passion, than any other in memory.  I think the two-week rule may be history in, well, two weeks.

There are reports that Republicans are already preparing to govern the legislative branch, and are determined to build a record of solid accomplishment to bring to the American people in 2012.  That is good.  Lack of preparation for actual governing has often been the curse of both parties.  And presidents rejected in their first midterm have a way of climbing back and winning their next election.  Bill Clinton did.  Ronald Reagan did.  And FDR did.  Many don't realize it, but President Roosevelt took a thumping in the 1942 midterms, only 11 months after Pearl Harbor, with his party losing 45 votes in the House and eight in the Senate.  But Mr. Roosevelt was elected for a fourth term two years later.

So don't count Obama out.  Even if the Democrats lose big in two weeks, Obama might get himself reelected in 2012 if the GOP falters in its new power in Congress, or fails to put up a strong presidential candidate. 

The fight is ongoing.  Never stop.

October 19, 2010