WHAT ABOUT ALASKA? – AT 9:58 A.M. ET:  Many people are unaware that the Senate race in Alaska has yet to be decided, although we're optimistic about our side's chances there.  Counting in Alaska is slow.  From the Alaska Dispatch News: 

At least 50,000 ballots remain to be counted that could affect margins and possibly outcomes in two closely watched political races in Alaska.

The competition for Democratic Sen. Mark Begich's U.S. Senate seat has drawn national attention, with Republican candidate Dan Sullivan holding a 8,149-vote lead over Begich -- a 3.6 percent difference -- after the first round of vote counting immediately following Tuesday’s general election.

The governor’s race is also tight, with independent Bill Walker leading Republican Gov. Sean Parnell by 3,165 votes, or just 1.4 percent.

More than 220,000 votes have been counted in those contests. To make sure the remaining ballots are properly verified, campaigns have sent observers to watch teams sort through absentee and questioned ballots at the state Department of Elections' regional headquarters in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, Juneau and Nome.

Tyson Gallagher, an observer and data director for Gov. Sean Parnell’s re-election effort, said Republican candidates typically gain ground at this stage in the process. But it’s uncertain if that will occur this time, he said.

COMMENT:  While an Alaska win will make no difference in control of the Senate, it's nice to have that one extra vote.  Also, Louisiana will decide its Senate race on December 6th, with a runoff.  Republican Bill Cassidy is strongly favored to win.

So, potentially, Republicans have two more potential Senate seats.  But let's count the votes first.

November 11, 2014