FiveThirtyEight is estimating a 30% chance that Democrats will get a filibuster-proof 60 seats in the Senate. Noteworthy movement since our previous update includes Minnesota, which our model is finally giving to Al Franken after Rasmussen and Quinnipiac polls put him slightly ahead; North Carolina, where Kay Hagan is hardly out of the woods but now clearly appears to be …

Some folks are becoming increasing shrill in their demand that Ellen DeGeneres step forward with huge donation to Prop 8. But to my mind, what she does every day on her show and in this PSA is immeasurably more valuable than a few more airings of the lame ads we’ve seen so far.

From Homotracker’s “About Us” page: The original and primary function of this dynamic group of future entertainment biz leaders is the sharing of information among members, via an online tracking board, as well as assisting and supporting each other’s promotion in the industry. HOMOtracker began as the brainchild of a small group of lesbian & gay professionals, seeking to find …

Andy Towle picked up on this “absolutely fake and unofficial endorsement for the No on Prop 8 campaign cooked up by celebrity parodist David Gilmore at Pretty on the Outside.” That’s Robert Buckley from Lipstick Jungle and Hugh Jackman. Donate to No On 8 here.

On Comedy Central’s new Chocolate News show, David Alan Grier tells racists “just vote for Obama’s white half.” Some funny stuff, but the readers at Huffington Post are split on whether the clip is offensive. If you hate Dave Chappelle, you’ll probably hate this too.

(Via – Slog)

Gawker has created with weird map of NYC on the possible rollback of the gentrification of certain neighborhoods in a post-recession economy. They note that trend stories are already being written about yuppies shrinking their advance into the hinterlands. But I’m somewhat confused by the color coding on the map. Pink for traditional strongholds of the rich that will remain …

“Monty Python could have written this.” Classic. (Via – Andrew Sullivan)

Former New York state Assembyman Chris Ortloff, the one-time Assembly assistant minority leader and head of the Clinton County GOP, has been busted for soliciting a minor and possession of child pornography. A former assemblyman and current parole-board member was busted last night on child-pornography and soliciting charges, officials said. Chris Ortloff, 61, was arrested in a Plattsburgh-area motel room …

Sometime in the 50’s, mathematician Alan Turing predicted that one day computers would converse with humans so easily, humans would not know they were speaking with a machine. The so-calling Turing Test, the ability of a computer to fool a human 30% of the time, has not yet been achieved. But Sunday, one computer came very close. On Sunday, a …

Former Rep. Jim Slattery (D-KS) has come out with one of the strangest ads ever seen in his campaign to unseat Sen. Pat Roberts. Via Horse’s Ass: Behold the most horrifying yet hilarious political advertisement ever produced. (You think I exaggerate? Watch it. I dare you.) “Gushing record profits?” Bwhaaaaaaa.) The ad is on behalf of ex-Congressman Jim Slattery of …

Rein in your lack of passion? Restrain your deficiency of passion? Anyone? Whatevs, t-shirts are now available.

Via Jalopnik: Barack Obama has begun advertising on billboards within the virtual world of an online video game in what appears to be a first for a presidential campaign. Players of the online racing video game Burnout Paradise on the Xbox 360 Live network noticed billboards promoting Barack Obama and the website VoteForChange.com, which helps people determine how to register …

According to the SF Chronicle, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has become the greatest liability for the No On 8 campaign. Gavin Newsom has always played a starring role in the same-sex marriage debate, but in recent weeks that role has turned decidedly unheroic. The mayor has become the reluctant face of the campaign opposing same-sex unions with the help …

The Yes On 8 campaign is reporting that one of their supporters was attacked while he attempted to distribute lawn signs in Modesto. From their site: In a violent display of intolerance, an opponent of Proposition 8 attacked and seriously injured a man who was volunteering on Sunday for the initiative to define marriage as between and a man and …

Christin Quinn, December 2007: “I am today taking a firm and final position. I will not support the repeal or change of term limits through any mechanism, and I will oppose aggressively any attempt by anyone to make any changes in the term limits law. The voters have made their will very, very clear.” Christine Quinn, October 2008: “In difficult …

“Over the last few weeks I have watched with mounting bemusement as John McCain and Sarah Palin have constantly referred to the American work force as the best in the world, how America is a force for good in the world, how America is the best at (fill in the blank here depending on who you’re talkin’ to, wait for …

Courtesy of FlyLife Inc, today’s Swag Tuesday prize is Back To Now, the first album from the reunited Labelle in 32 years! Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash, and Patti Labelle have finally gotten back together and the advance word is terrific. In the history of female groups, none has ever achieved the longevity, or experienced the kind of creative evolution, that …