::Sigh::

About 2 seconds after McCain uttered the words "...Republican Guard..." in reference to Iran's terrorist group, I was on cloud nine. Game, set, match... this whole thing was about to be over. I was attempting to envision how cool Obama might play the mistake as he calmly explained "...by the way, John, I think you meant the Revolutionary Guard...."

or maybe...

"... John, when did the Republican Guard rebase in Iran? I hadn't heard...."

But alas, opportunity was wasted when he not only failed to correct McCain, but repeated the same mistake himself! Talk about the game-changer that wasn't.

Although I know it wasn't likely, I was really hoping the debate would somehow deliver the knockout blow - where Obama would put McCain down for the count once and for all. Man, what a painfully missed chance.

As many of you know, in the case of a tied vote from the electoral college, the duty of selecting a president and vice president falls to the House and Senate respectively.

At this point in the race, I am wondering if a tie is becoming more likely? Analyzing the current "swing" states, is it unreasonable to suppose the voting breaks down thusly:

Obama -
   Colorado
   Minnesota
   Michigan
   Pennsylvania. Total electoral votes: 269

McCain
   Nevada
   Montana
   Indiana
   Ohio
   West Virginia
   Virginia
   North Carolina
   Florida
   New Hampshire
   New Mexico*. Total electoral votes: 269.

*(Disclaimer: Here I give McCain a tremendous benefit of the doubt with regard to New Mexico - my analyses indicate the state will be a win for Senator Obama)

So that leaves us with Nebraska and Maine - both of which appoint their representatives to the electoral college by congressional district rather than the more common "winner take all" formula. Perhaps we can pick off one of the Nebraskan electoral voters? Start dialing those cornhusker phones now!

In all seriousness folks, re-examine the lists above. To win the presidency, our man really only needs 4 states: CO, MN, MI and PA (assuming NM is in the bag). Conversely, McCain needs 10 or more.

I will always be the last person to succumb to overconfidence, but the writing is on the wall. It may be faint, but it's there. Barring any major unforseen catastrophes, 08 is trending toward a done deal for President Obama.