In Kentucky it looks like it will be Paul versus Conway, though the Democratic race is tight the networks have begun to call it for Conway. In Pennsylvania the Gubernatorial race will be between Republican Corbett versus Democrat Onorato. Toomey is the easy winner in GOP Senate primary and while it’s still too close to call I think Specter is toast and it will be Toomey versus Sestak. Democrats look likely to win the 12th special election but that is also too close to call now. In Arkansas...

One of the big contests tonight is, of course, the Pennsylvania primary between Democrat turned Republican turned Democrat Arlen Specter and Congressman Joe Sestak. At this point it’s pretty much a tie with Specter leading narrowly (check out Politico.com for results on all races). Obviously the key here is WHERE the results are from. According to both Dailykos and 538.com there are more results in from Philadelphia than from the rest of the state. If so, this would be very bad news for Specter...

Every once in a while we need a story that makes us feel better. Zach Lipson was born eight weeks premature and had to endure countless surgeries as a child. He has a spinal deformity that will prevent him from ever growing much past four feet tall. His childhood was a mix of hospital stays and enduring the teasing that came from some of his grade school classmates. By any standard he has every right to feel sorry for himself but he has done just the opposite. Drawing on his Christian faith he realized...

Reports are that they may be making some progress in stopping the leak, though given the past few weeks I am not sure it’s for real yet. Progress

Dean Baker, one of the few experts to predict the last housing slump says that those who think that things are picking up are ignoring reality. He calls for continued slow markets and even a new slump in 2011. Not the best of news but this guy called it once and might well be doing so again.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has officially tendered his resignation. This means David Cameron will, at least in the short term, be the new PM of the United Kingdom

Following up on rumors that started late last week, NBC is reporting that President Obama will name Solicitor General Kagan as his nominee to replace retiring Justice Stevens. Kagan has widely been seen as the probable nominee from the time Stevens announced his retirement and would be the fourth woman to serve on the top court. Expect the usual partisan scrambles but an easy confirmation should she be the pick.

Does not look like there is any chance of a Conservative majority so not much point in going on for now. We will have to see where the deals end up but almost certainly we will have a short term Conservative government, the real question will be if they keep in power or we have another vote in the near term. But for now, check out final election reports above. 9pm: 60th Conservative gain, so they are doing well but probably not well enough **** Big blow for Conservatives in Morley & Outwood....

Different day same chaos. The nation of Greece is in trouble again as they try to work out the austerity programs needed to balance the budget (one which makes even California look semi rational). The result has been violent riots that have paralyzed the daily lives of many in Greece. People dependent on the government programs are not pleased at the idea of having to get a job, and in fairness the weak economy does not present a lot of options. This in turn has led to a free fall today in the stock...

While we in the US have about six months before the midterms our friends over the pond go to the ballot box tomorrow in a race that could leave the country in a psuedo 2000 mess. When the campaign began it seemed likely that David Cameron and his Conservative party would win a fairly easy victory over Gordon Brown and his Labour party. After 12 years in power the Labour party has fallen well out of favor with the voters. However one of the big surprises of the campaign has been Nick Clegg and the...

Long time Congresscritter David Obey (D-WI) is expected to announce his retirement. This race was already considered a possible GOP pickup and with Obey out of the race that could improve GOP odds. Although since part of the issue was Obey’s 40 year plus service it could be an open race will help the Dems. In either case another retirement.

Be warned the ads are VERY offensive. They come from a write in candidate for US Senate in Missouri. Under federal law a radio station has to run the ads unedited and the only way they can decline ads from one candidate is to decline them from all candidates, so the stations would have to give up tons of revenue. The station airs disclaimers before every ad and is donating the money from the ads to charity. They are also asking the FCC if this candidate is legitimate or not. Listen and comment. Free...

As if the last few weeks were not bad enough. The Guardian, a long time Labour party stalwart has broken ranks to endorse the Liberal Democrats in the UK elections. The Times, which has not backed the Conservatives since 1992 is doing so this year. Things do not look well for Mr. Brown.

Just in case you were tired of the old nightmares here’s a new one. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/26/AR2010042601975.html Hat tip to Rachel Maddow Thanks Rachel… first you get me upset when I disagree and yell at the TV, now I have new nightmares.

A somewhat splintered US Supreme Court ruled today that a cross can remain on a war memorial in a remote part of the Mojave desert. The 5-4 ruling overturned a decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The majority held that the cross is not only a symbol of Christianity but also represents a general symbol of sacrifice while the minority held that the symbol does uniquely represent the Christian faith. The case stemmed from an action in which the public land on which the cross stands was transferred...

To be fair probably not. But the recent surge of the Liberal Democrats in the UK elections has raised a number of eyebrows on both sides of the pond. Normally the campaigns are between the Conservatives and the Labour party with the LD’s acting as the distant 3rd party. A recent poll had the Conservatives in 1st place with 33% followed by the Lib Dems at 28% and Labour at 26% Another survey put the Lib Dems on top at 33%, followed by the Conservatives at 32% and Labour at 26%. It is unlikely...

News is breaking today of a double retirement. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who turns 90 this year, is going to retire. This gives President Obama a second court pick, though since he will be replacing a liberal with a liberal it’s not that major of a shift (other than the age factor). A number of names have been mentioned as possible replacements, I’d put the early money on Wood. Also breaking is news that Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak will also retire and that could put...

A new study shows that 47% of US households will pay no federal income taxes this year. This is the result of both lower income and rising tax credits and exemptions. A family of 4 making around $ 50,000 could avoid any federal tax liability provided there are two children under the age of 17. For comparison in 1969 roughly 16% of households paid no taxes and in 1989 roughly 20% did not pay. Certainly we cannot expect people with very tight budgets to pay taxes if they need the money to live off...

Among the many ways California is trying to resolve the budget crisis is to release certain prisoners who are either minor offenders or no longer a threat. The latter category includes some violent prisoners who have suffered illness or injury that reduce or eliminate their potential as a threat. One example is a rapist (clearly a prisoner you would not want to release) who was stabbed in the neck during a prison fight which left him totally paralyzed. Because of this he is no longer considered a...

It’s been a while since I’ve had time to post, one of the perils of self employment and tax time. Sadly I’m returning to report some bad news, a coal mine explosion in West Virginia has killed at least six people with twenty one injured and another twenty one missing. It’s easy to law blame on the mine owners but the fact is there are simply inherent dangers to mining with the accumulation of explosive gases. I do hope though there will be a complete investigation after the...