Connecticut

LOS ANGELES — The woman who said the most famous line in the romantic comedy classic “When Harry Met Sally” has died.Rob Reiner’s mother, Estelle Reiner, played the woman in the deli who watches Meg Ryan have a fake orgasm. Estelle Reiner then places her food order by saying, “I’ll have what she’s having.”Estelle Reiner died Saturday. She was 94. She was also famed entertainer Carl Reiner’s wife.Besides a handful of movie roles, Estelle Reiner was a painter. And, when she was 65, she began a career as a jazz singer. Over the next 28 years, she recorded seven albums and performed in clubs in New York and Los Angeles. (Read the full post about ‘‘I’ll Have What She’s Having’ Actress Dies’…)

McDONOUGH, Ga. — T.I. has had his say as a voter — but the rap star did so only after finding out that he was still eligible to cast his ballot, despite being a convicted felon.T.I. — whose real name is Clifford Harris — said that he did some research and found out that under a Georgia law, convicted felons are eligible to vote if they aren’t currently serving probation or prison sentence.The rapper said that was “a relief.”He stood in line for about 10 minutes before going into a polling center to vote for the first time in his life. T.I. said that it made him feel good to be “leading by example.” T.I. (Read the full post about ‘Loophole Allows For Rap Star Felon’s Vote’…)

CHICAGO — The Associated Press has learned that the man in jail in the murders of three members of Jennifer Hudson’s family is telling police he’s innocent, but he’s balking at taking a lie-detector test.A police source said that William Balfour, the estranged stepfather of Hudson’s slain 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, told detectives he had a good relationship with the Hudson family.The source said that when detectives asked Balfour to take the polygraph test, he stopped cooperating and refused to take the test.Meantime, a gun has been found in a vacant lot around the corner from where the nephew was found dead Monday in an SUV. (Read the full post about ‘Hudson Murder Suspect Refuses Polygraph’…)

CINCINNATI — Rock star Peter Frampton is wishing someone would show him the way to keep his Barack Obama yard signs from getting swiped. The Grammy Award winner complains that signs showing his preference for the Democratic presidential candidate have been stolen repeatedly at his home in the upscale and predominantly Republican Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill. Frampton is so incensed he called The Cincinnati Enquirer asking to be interviewed. The British-born singer of “Show Me the Way” and other hits told the newspaper that one reason he became a U.S. citizen was so he could vote. Now, he said that his American rights to free speech and political speech are being violated and it “bugs” him. (Read the full post about ‘Obama Sign Thefts Anger ’70s Rocker’…)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With the possibility of a gay-marriage ban passing on Election Day, many same-sex couples are rushing to get married in California, Sacramento station KCRA reported.About 50 couples are getting married every day, and the Sacramento County Clerk Recorder’s Office said it is booked for weddings through Monday.Officials said it hasn’t been this busy since gay marriage became legal in June.”It’s like working on a deadline, but we love each other and we want to be together,” said newlywed Samantha Fletcher. Some couples said the days leading up to the election may be the only chance they have to get married if Proposition 8 passes.”Prop. (Read the full post about ‘Gay Couples Rush To Altar Before Election Day’…)

GENOA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Michigan State police said two men posing as utility employees robbed and severely beat an 83-year-old World War II veteran in his home on Thursday night. Police said the victim suffered broken bones in his face and was in stable condition Thursday at the University of Michigan Medical Center. State police didn’t give the man’s name. The attackers are described as white men in their mid-20s to early 30s driving a white or silver sedan, possibly with Illinois license plates.Police said the men may have used the alias Asphalt Paving and Quality Paving, before forcing themselves into the mans home.”They look for someone who is vulnerable and that they can go after, but they say that they’re going to pave the driveway and that’s just a pretense to get into the residence,” said Michigan State Police Lt. (Read the full post about ‘Police: 83-Year-Old Beat Up By 2 Men’…)

WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain is set to appear on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” just three days before the presidential election. Aides said the Republican presidential candidate will make a detour from battleground states to the late-night weekend show that has been a must-watch for many during the political season. Earlier this month, McCain running mate Sarah Palin and her impersonator, Tina Fey, earned “Saturday Night Live” its best ratings in 14 years.Palin’s guest shot had been widely anticipated since Fey began imitating her a month ago. McCain last appeared on the show in May, after clinching the nomination and while the Democratic primary continued. McCain hosted “SNL” in 2002. (Read the full post about ‘McCain To Appear On ‘Saturday Night Live’’…)

The Courant, the Norwich Bulletin and the Day all endorsed Barack Obama for president.

The Connecticut Post has endorsed John McCain.

Several Connecticut papers have yet to make a choice.

I’ll be catching up on stories from the weekend over the next few days. Back to full posting on Wednesday –GC

The Courant is reporting on a Courant/UCONN poll showing Obama with another big lead in Connecticut. Obama leads John McCain 56%-35%, with 12% undecided.

12% undecided? In October? Really?

Via SSP, the GOP’s “Death List” ranking the races where their incumbents are in trouble. Shays in CT-04 is in category three which is a toss-up.

That sounds about right to me, but a Republican operative gave his thoughts on this list to the Politico:

One well-connected Republican operative told Politico that the list, if anything, understated the number of members needing a political lifeline.
…
In addition, the operative suggested that the seats of Reps. Bill Sali (R-Idaho), Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), Thelma Drake (R-Va.), Virgil H. Goode (R-Va.) and the open Kentucky seat of retiring Rep.

(Read the full post about ‘GOP’s View of CT-04′…)