Some election predictions (or guesses?)

Pignanelli & Webb: First, the weasel words: It's always tough to make predictions about election outcomes. So much depends on final activities and turnout, and we're writing this column six days before the actual event.

Nevertheless, we're going to stick out our skinny little necks and prognosticate (actually, take wild guesses) about some of the national and state contests and make observations about others.

Congress

Webb: I'm climbing way out on a limb and saying the GOP retains control of both the House and Senate by small margins. It will be a devastating defeat for the Democrats; if they can't win big in this environment, they are in serious trouble. No matter who controls Congress, the long-term outlook for Democrats is not good. Both ideologically (conservatives outnumber liberals 2-1) and demographically (growth areas with traditional families are Republican; declining areas with few children are Democratic) they're being left behind. With a closely divided Congress and a presidential race looming, we'll have congressional gridlock for two more years.

Pignanelli: LaVarr is drinking the GOP Kool-Aid. The momentum for a change in Washington is strong enough to withstand blunders by Democrats and last-minute surprises by Karl Rove. Democrats will control the U.S. House of Representatives by at least two seats and tie the U.S. Senate.

Utah's congressional races

Pignanelli: Jim Matheson's hard work every day of the year pays off — he scores more than 60 percent. The unsung hero Tuesday night is the man who spent the past two years canvassing the state to maintain a sense of democracy: Pete Ashdown.

Webb: The incumbents all win. Matheson shows Democrats how to do it: Work hard. Be conservative. Run against the feds. Rep. Chris Cannon returns for another two years, but he shouldn't get comfortable. He'll always be a target within his own party by ambitious young Republicans chafing to go for the big time. 2007 could be a fascinating political year if we get a 4th congressional seat and all our U.S. House members have to run again in a special election.

Makeup of Utah Legislature

Webb: Pretty much status quo, but Republicans pick up a few seats, retaining overwhelming majorities in the state House and Senate.

Pignanelli: Brave Democrats will fend off the nasty vitriolic attacks from the pro-voucher Parents for Choice — the shadow organization that has poured hundreds of thousands of out-of-state dollars into local races. Democrats will enjoy a net gain of one state senator and at least two House members.

Salt Lake County races

Pignanelli: Salt Lake County Council member Jim Bradley will lead the Democrats to retain control of the various offices they hold, with a possible pickup of an additional position.