Republicans Expect Win, Mileage Varies
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Vol. 3, No. 308
Election Day:After the most expensive midterm election campaign in history, American voters go to the polls with little love for either the Republicans or the Democrats, but it looks like Republicans will benefit from the unpopularity of President Obama.
Republicans are in position to pick up a net six seats to take control of the US Senate and pollsters give them a high chance of doing it. Democrats now control the Senate 55-45.
Republicans appear likely to take currently Democratic seats in Arkansas, Montana, South Dakota and West Virginia. But at the same time it’s uncertain whether they will hold on in Georgia, Kansas, and Kentucky. The outcome in Georgia and Louisiana could be stalled by runoff elections.
But if Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire, and North Carolina go Republican, it’s probably over for the Democrats.
Races for governor could make or break some big names. In Kansas, where state government is circling the drain of bankruptcy, budget-cutter Sam Brownback might be shown the door. Florida’s Charlie Crist wants to be governor again, this time as a Democrat. And Wisconsin’s union-busting Scott Walker could be a presidential contender if he’s re-elected.
Ballot Issues: Alaska, Oregon and the District of Columbia will vote on measures that would allow recreational use of marijuana for adults.
Florida residents will decide whether to make their state the 24th to allow marijuana use for medical reasons.
>Colorado and Oregon are voting on whether to label genetically modified foods.
>Washington is considering two ballot issues on guns; one would require background checks for all gun purchases and transfers, including between private parties, the other would block such a requirement between private parties.
Actual Mileage May Vary: The US government levied $300 million in fines against the Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia for overstating the fuel economy of 1.2 million vehicles by 1 to 6 miles per gallon. The two companies must pay $100 million in fines and forfeit $200 million in greenhouse gas emission credits.
World: Police in Mexico have arrested the fugitive mayor of the town of Iguala, who is a prime suspect in the disappearance of 43 college students. His wife was detained with him.
>Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko is threatening to scrap the special semi-independent status for eastern Ukraine after rebel leaders held their own elections and declared themselves the winners. Under a September agreement the rebel areas of Luhansk and Donetsk were supposed to join in national elections, but they did not and held their own.
The Obit Page: Tom Magliozzi, who with his younger brother Ray was co-host of the perpetually popular NPR show Car Talk, has died of the affects of Alzheimer’s disease at age 77. Known as “Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers,” they diagnosed arcane problems with the cars owned by listeners, while keeping up a riotously funny banter in thick Boston accents. They insulted carmakers and auto mechanics with equal glee. Tom was the one with the big laugh. They were on the air together for 35 years.
Uber Pricing: A Denver area man has shared his shock at the bill he got from the popular Uber car service on Halloween night. Elliot Asbury took a ride he expected would cost $100, tops. The bill for the ride came in at $72.85, not bad, but a peak-demand “surge” multiple of 7.4, brought the total to $539. This is how industries get regulated and end up complaining about government regulations.
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