John Boehner gets a major test of his leadership today when his plan to increase the debt limit gets a vote in the House. I think he’ll pass, as he’s designed the test and can give out the answer sheets, to use a pretty poor metaphor. I don’t believe Boehner would allow this up for a vote if he weren’t confident of passage, though he has been burned before. He can afford at least 23 defections. House Democrats say they won’t offer one vote for the package, but on Cut Cap and Balance, Republicans drew 5 Democratic votes. The Hill’s whip count lists 22 no or lean-no Republican votes. I imagine it will sneak by.

Harry Reid spoke about votes expected in the remainder of the lame duck session. He cited START, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the DREAM Act, the 9-11 health care bill and possibly votes on judicial nominations if an agreement wasn’t reached to move them in a block. As for when, he simply committed to votes on those issues “before this Congress ends,” not before Christmas.

Make Your Predictions for
FDL’s 2010 Election Challenge

Use the form below to cast your predictions for the 2010 midterm elections & 112th Congress.

There will be prizes for the winners!

Email

# of seats in House Democratic caucus

Currently 255

# of seats in Senate Democratic caucus

Currently 59

Will Prop 19 pass?

Yes

No

% Yes vote for
Prop 19

%

to the nearest 100th (ex: 5.02%)

All fields required

FDL will be featuring extensive election night coverage across the country, including the much-anticipated results of Prop 19. And the morning after, everyone will of course be diagnosing “what happened” with 20/20 hindsight. But who really did call the races in advance?

You can place your predictions in the FDL Election Projection Vault (patent pending), which will remain locked until the results are known. So, put on your finest Amazing Kreskin hat, and lay your bets.

Questions:

• How many House seats will Democrats hold in the 112th Congress?
• How many Senate seats will Democrats hold in the 112th Congress?
• Will California’s Proposition 19 pass?

Tiebreaker:

• What will the final percentage be for “Yes” on Prop 19?