No, I am not counting votes before they're cast, but I'd like to hear what others think about who will be the winners and losers after Tuesday's election. My predictions...
1. Scenario 1: Dems carry both House and Senate -
Biggest Winner: Mitt Romney. A loss of both House and Senate will be seen as a repudiation of Bush's policies, which McCain has embraced all too closely. As an outsider, Romney gains traction.
Biggest Winner (Democrat Edition): other than Pelosi and Reid, maybe Rahm Emanuel, but no presidential contenders get a boost.
Biggest Losers: McCain, Hillary.
2. Scenario 2: Dems carry the House, GOP holds Senate -
Biggest Winner: Nancy Pelosi.
2nd Biggest Winner: Rahm Emanuel.
3rd Biggest Winner: Bush. The Dems will have the power to investigate, but not to impeach. And he can use this as an opportunity to pass some bipartisan legislation and claim that he worked with Dems to burnish his legacy.
Biggest Loser (universal edition): Hillary. Southern, white male America will NOT elect a liberal, East Coast woman President while a liberal, West Coast woman is Speaker of the House.
Biggest Winner (GOP-only edition): McCain. He can be the voice of reason, of consistency, of moderation.
Biggest Loser (GOP-only edition): Dennis Hastert.
3. Scenario 3: GOP holds both -
Biggest Winner: Bush. He avoids the subpoenas, the task forces, the questioning. His party continues to protect his ass *just enough* to let him go off into the sunset.
Biggest Winners (Dem side): Hillary. Barak. Edwards. All Dem presidential contenders get a boost. The more liberal, the bigger the bounce.
Biggest Loser(s): conservative talk radio hosts - with no opposition party to rail against, they will have no one to blame.