The Split Nebraska Electoral Vote (And Other Issues)

How popular is Barack Obama? He picked off an electoral vote in overwhelmingly Republican Nebraska.

Nebraska is the only state other than Maine to award its electoral votes proportionately. In each state, two votes are awarded to the presidential candidate who carries the whole state with each of the remaining votes assigned to a congressional district and given to the candidate who carries the district. As Republican presidential candidates usually carry all three congressional districts in Nebraska, the state never split its electoral votes. Until now. Obama carried the congressional district that includes Omaha, while John McCain carried the other two districts and the state at large. This is the first time this has happened in Nebraska's 141 years of statehood.

Meanwhile, Obama may name Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, possibly to have her expertise benefit his Presidency and keep her in a situation where he can keep her loyal to his policies. Even if she turns it down, at least he'll be on record as offering it to her. But maybe she still has bigger ambitions.

Speaking of which, The George W. Bush Comedy Hour may soon be off the air, but a new series - Cookin' With Sarah Palin - may soon be waiting in the wings. Before the noted book-banning wolf killer has even made plans for her family's Thanksgiving dinner of deep-fried moose meat, Palin has been going all over the media to project a responsible, savvy image to present herself as a possible 2012 presidential candidate (HORRORS!!), or at least a candidate for the U.S. Senate in a special election for the seat of convicted felon Ted Stevens. Except that the Republican Senate veteran may end up losing to Democrat Mark Begich after all once the votes are all counted.

Alaska's other senator, Lisa Murkowski, may not be safe from Palin. Yes, she's a Republican, but don't rule out a challenge from Palin in the 2010 primary for that seat. Don't believe me? Ask Lisa Murkowski's father, Frank, who ran for a second term as governor of Alaska in 2006 only to be defeated in the primary by . . . guess who.