As even Republicans are predicting a 20-seat pick up for Democrats in the House, and as Indiana seems poised to turn Blue, and Bush desperately campaigns for Republican racists and abusers of women, Bush is also preparing what he probably thinks will be a decisive blow for Republicans in November. So far the only "October surprises" were revelations about Republican corruption, but Bush seems to be readying a November surprise, clearly timed to tip the balance wherever possible on election day.

According to Guysen Israël New, the chief prosecutor in the Saddam Hussein trial has said that the verdict will be announced within three weeks.

Now, I find it interesting that it is the CHIEF PROSECUTOR making this announcement rather than the judge...seems odd to me. But the real point here is that Bush will clearly take the opportunity to declare victory in Iraq to great fanfare. Be prepared for another, possibly more toned down, "Mission Accomplished" moment from George Bush. Possibly also a high profile "surprise visit" to Iraq to show the Republicans are keeping us safe by getting Hussein found guilty.

All of which ignores the fact that Osama bin Laden, the man who masterminded an actual attack on America, remains free and al-Qaeda, the people who actually attacked us, continue to function. The reality is that, in terms of the safety and prosperity of Americans, the trial of Saddam Hussein means absolutely nothing. Yet I am sure it will be trumpeted as some massive success by Bush.

Meanwhile, let's not forget that by far the vast majority of Iraq war vets who are running for office are proudly running as DEMOCRATS. Let's get them elected so we can really tell Bush what we think about his Iraq quagmire and his failure to defeate al-Qaeda.