I believe a candidate needs 270 votes outright to win.
BUT, if neither candidate gets 270 votes, the House decides, with each state casting one vote. this would be the NEW House elected in November, deciding in January. So Obama would win.
The Senate chooses the VP, with one vote each. Cheney (who would still be president of the Senate in early Janyary, even though new senators would already have been seated) would break any tie. Although it’s hard to see how Palin wins there, it’s theoretically possible that somehow we get Obama and Palin in office - although extremely unlikely.
I will take a flame-retardant suit also, as I have thought about this too. Also, if one House and one Senate member challenge a state’s slate, then the Congress votes somehow. It’s theoretically possible that the Dems could give the presidency to Obama even with a clear McCain electoral win, as you suggest.
The “law,” if they choose to manufacture some defect in the vote, is on their side. Unless the public threatens an open revolt, they could do it.
I wish you were blowing smoke. You’re not.
I don’t think Brunner will be in office by election day.