Many have been speculating on whether there can still be an (early November) October Surprise, and if not why there hasn't been one for the 2006 elections.

My guess is that Rove is planning for 2012 at this point. While he might have preferred a Republican-controlled Congress, now that ist appears that the Democrats will take at least the house he isn't fighting it too hard.

The general plan will be something like this: A Democratic House for the next 2 years, leading to various Constitutional crises over the "unitary executive" all pitched to make the Democrats look weak and pin the blame for the Iraq situation on their weakness. A Democratic President in 2008 leashed by a Republican Senate. Total chaos and disaster in Iraq in 2009-2010, all blamed on the Democratic President. A white horse "strong father" Republican candidate in 2012 to take back the Presidency and sweep Congress and the states.

sPh