NOTE FROM JOHN: Cook says Paccione and Kleeb are both gaining in the polls.
The Cook Political Report released a slew of new ratings changes today. All of them are headed in the right direction -- and they are in places where the GOP usually rules. Charlie Cook provided this update:
With the election just eight days away, there are no signs that this wave is abating. Barring a dramatic event, we are looking at the prospect of GOP losses in the House of at least 20 to 35 seats, possibly more, and at least four in the Senate, with five or six most likely.Governor's rating changes:
AK Open Lean Republican to Toss UpYes, Alaska and Idaho.
ID Open Lean Republican to Toss Up
Now check out the House changes. There have been positive upgrades in some of the key races we've all been supporting. This is very encouraging:
AZ-05 Hayworth [Mitchell] Lean Republican to Toss UpOne week from tomorrow. Do everything you can do between now and then to make the change happen.
CA-11 Pombo [McNerney] Lean Republican to Toss Up
CO-04 Musgrave [Paccione] Lean Republican to Toss Up
CO-05 Open [Fawcett v. Lambron] Likely Republican to Lean Republican
IA-01 Open [Braley v. Whalen] Toss Up to Lean Democratic
KS-02 Ryun [Boyda] Likely Republican to Toss Up
MN-01 Gutknecht [Walz] Lean Republican to Toss Up
NE-03 Open [Kleeb v. Smith] Likely Republican to Lean Republican
NH-02 Bass [Hodes] Lean Republican to Toss Up
OH-02 Schmidt [Wulsin] Lean Republican to Toss Up
WY-AL Cubin [Trauner] Lean Republican to Toss Up
CA-50 Bilbray [Busby] Likely Republican to Lean Republican