Am I figuring this right?
If Franken, Martin and Begich win the RATS will have their magic 60?
If Stevens were to resign before a winner is declared, would Palin get to appoint a replacement?
Martin won’t win — the turnout is already much lower in early voting and that favors Chambliss.
Begich already won.
Franken/Coleman is probably 50-50 right now. A lead of 200+ votes before a hand recount of millions is nothing.
So, it’s either 58 or 59, not 60.
Palin could not appoint a replacement for Stevens even if he had won then resigned or was booted out. By law there would have to be a special election (which the Republicans would have won easily). However, the issue is moot. Stevens already lost.