THE RIGHT ANGLE – AT 8:13 A.M. ET:  With four days to go, one of the most watched races in the country seems to be getting clearer to pollsters and analysts. 

In Nevada, Republican Senate nominee Sharron Angle is increasing her lead over Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  That lead now stands at four points.  That isn't spectacular, but all the major polls are now consistent in reporting that Angle is ahead.  She has been a problematical candidate, with a record of gaffes and seemingly extreme statements about items like Social Security.  However, she's improved as a candidate as the weeks have gone on, and did very well against Reid in debate.  She also has the benefit of Republican enthusiasm. 

The press is reporting that, anticipating a Reid defeat, Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Dick Durbin of Illinois are already fighting to succeed him as majority leader.  In politics, you don't wait for the body to be buried.  You simply step over it, or kick it aside.  Both Schumer and Durbin are skillful politicians and would probably give a more vigorous image to the majority leader position.  Reid's image is somewhere between death and decomposition.

October 29, 2010