HOFFMAN CLOSING ON OWENS  —  Democrat ahead of Conservative by 2,512 votes  —  Democrat Bill Owens is leading in the 23rd Congressional District race.  —  The Plattsburgh attorney has 50,884 votes compared to Conservative Doug Hoffman, a Lake Placid CPA, with 47,166 votes.

NBC reverses Bloomberg call  —  Wow: This is looking to be a very long night for the billionaire-incumbent-front- runner in New York.  —  With more than a third of the votes in, it's a 1-point race.  NBC called it for Bloomberg — but just reversed that call.  The New York Times continues to indicate that Bloomberg has won.

Turnout high in Maine  —  Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap told me just now that turnout there is far exceeding his projections — news that would be good news for backers of same-sex marriage.  —  “We're seeing heavy and very steady turnout,” he said, attributing the surprise to the contested vote on a …

Former presidents to face off in debate  —  Bubba and Dubya are going to engage in a presidential debate for the ages.  —  Former President Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will square off on the same stage at Radio City Music Hall in February as part of a series pitting liberal and conservative thinkers.

NJ GOV: Christie Crushing Among Indies  —  According to early exit poll data released by CNN, ex-U.S. Atty Chris Christie (R) leads Gov. Jon Corzine among indie voters, 58-33%.  Indies make up 27% of the electorate thus far today.  —  For comparison, the latest Monmouth Univ. poll …

Garamendi beats field for Tauscher's seat  —  (11-03) 23:36 PST — Democratic Lt. Gov. John Garamendi is heading to Washington, D.C., today to be sworn into Congress after beating four other candidates in a special election to fill the Congressional seat vacated by Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Walnut Creek.

‘V’ aims at Obamamania  —  Imagine this.  At a time of political turmoil, a charismatic, telegenic new leader arrives virtually out of nowhere.  He offers a message of hope and reconciliation based on compromise and promises to marshal technology for a better future that will include universal health care.

Hoffman Barnstorms NY 23 in Plane  —  Rousing Reception in Oswego, where weather has cleared up.  —  Off to Plattsburgh for evening event.  —  Turnout in North East Counties of NY 23 Dampened by Rainy Weather  —  But Central New York Turnout and Weather Both Said to be Good

Hoffman Poll Watcher Has Tires Slashed [updated]  —  On his third trip to the polls, a Hoffman supporter and poll watcher had his tires slashed this afternoon —as you can see he had a hoffman sign in his back window.  —  A police report has been filed.  —  [updated:] Local police …

The Obama magic has faded  —  All politics is local, they say, and Tuesday's off-off-year elections certainly had their local angles.  Jon Corzine has been a terrible governor even by the undemanding standards of terribly governed New Jersey.  Creigh Deeds, though he looked …

Congress Poised to Keep Homebuyers' Tax Credit  —  WASHINGTON — The Senate and House are poised to agree on a compromise measure to extend unemployment benefits that also would expand a popular $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers, despite a recent government report on extensive mistakes and suspected fraud in the program.