best of JGib's Best of 2017

[Green]

Castle On The Hill ,  Love So Soft, Sorry Not Sorry, Up All Night, Cleopatra, Something Just Like This, Waste A Moment  

[JGibson]

Coming later tonight: The moment you've been waiting for is about to be here.  It's the reveal of who will take the #1 spot of my Top 360 Songs of 2017 list and the Top 20 of that list.

 

See ya later this evening, but until then, comment on my sets posted. 

 

Before we reveal this year's top spot occupant, Here's a look at my past #1's:
2007: Paramore "Crushcrushcrush"
2008: Paramore "Decode"

2009: Green Day "Know Your Enemy"
2010: Muse "Resistance"
2011: Foo Fighters "Rope"

2012: Linkin Park "Burn It Down"

2013: Imagine Dragons "Radioactive"

2014: Kongos "Come With Me Now"
2015: Walk The Moon "Shut Up and Dance"

2016: Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dark Necessities"

 

On Saturday, we begin the JGib's Top 300 Songs: 2007-2017 special countdown to honor my 10+ years on ATRL, where the segments will be 50 songs per segment. 

 

 

 

 

[lhdang2000]

SNS + LSS so close to top 20.  

 

Castle on the Hill.  

 

I'm ready for top 20.  

 

 

[sumthintoxic82]

LOVE SO SOFT!!! at #22!!!

[Sunderland 4ever]

Didn't know Cage The Elephant had released something new. Yay Top 20!

[potent]

6/10

 

Radioactive and Rope

[JGibson]

JGib's Best of 2017: Top 360 Songs [20-1]  

The 23rd of several installments for the 2017 edition of JGib's Best Ofs. 
Next up: NFL Review

 

 

Top 360 Songs Of 2017 [20-1] 

20 Katy Perry/Skip Marley "Chained To The Rhythm"
19 Blink-182 "She's Out Of Her Mind"
18 Cold War Kids "Love Is Mystical"
17 Judah and The Lion "Take It All Back"
16 Rise Against "The Violence"
15 Foo Fighters "The Sky Is A Neighborhood"
14 Lorde "Green Light"
13 The Killers "The Man"
12 Weezer "Feels Like Summer" 
11 Imagine Dragons "Thunder"
 

10 30 Seconds To Mars "Walk On Water"
9 Foo Fighters "Run"
8 Paramore "Hard Times"
7 Green Day "Still Breathing"
6 The Revivalists "Wish I Knew You"
5 Rag'n'Bone Man "Human"
4 Imagine Dragons "Believer"
3 Twenty|one|pilots "Heavydirtysoul" 
2 Linkin Park/Kiiara "Heavy" 
1 Portugal. The Man "Feel It Still" 

 

We have to confirm to you that all 360 chickens have been f**ked.  As for next year, we'll do 360 more en route to the top. 

 

 

Last Year:  
20 The Struts "Kiss This"
19 Twenty|one|pilots "Stressed Out" 
18 Bishop Briggs "River"
17 The Strumbellas "Spirits"
16 Coldplay “Adventure Of A Lifetime” 
15 Foals "Mountain At My Gates"
14 Cage The Elephant “Mess Around”
13 Twenty|one|pilots "Heathens"
12 Chevelle "Joyride (Omen)" 
11 The Lumineers "Ophelia" 
 

10 Metallica "Hardwired" 
9 Blink-182 "Bored To Death" 
8 Bastille "Good Grief" 
7 Kings of Leon "Waste A Moment" 
6 Disturbed "The Sound Of Silence"
5 Kaleo "Way Down We Go"
4 Green Day "Bang Bang" 
3 Nothing But Thieves "Trip Switch" 
2 Twenty|one|pilots "Ride" 
1 Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dark Necessities" 
 

 

Previous #1s:
2007: Paramore "Crushcrushcrush"
2008: Paramore "Decode"
2009: Green Day "Know Your Enemy"
2010: Muse "Resistance"
2011: Foo Fighters "Rope"
2012: Linkin Park "Burn It Down" 
2013: Imagine Dragons "Radioactive" 
2014: Kongos "Come With Me Now" 
2015: Walk The Moon "Shut Up and Dance" 
2016: Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dark Necessities"
2017: Portugal. The Man "Feel It Still" [CURRENT #1]

Previous #2s:
2007: Foo Fighters "The Pretender"
2008: Linkin Park "Given Up"
2009: Hollywood Undead "Undead"
2010: Three Days Grace "The Good Life"
2011: Foster The People "Pumped Up Kicks"
2012: Gotye/Kimbra "Somebody That I Used To Know" 
2013: Capital Cities "Safe and Sound"
2014: OneRepublic "Counting Stars"
2015: Muse "Dead Inside" 
2016: Twenty|one|pilots "Ride"
2017: Linkin Park/Kiiara "Heavy" [CURRENT #2]

 

 

Remember to leave your thoughts, and keep f**king those chickens! | Make an actual comment, and not just a "7/10"-type one. 
Hashtags: #JGibsBestof2017, #ATRLBestof2017

 

Top 360 of 2017 Updates: Wannabees [400-361] | 360-341 | 340-321 | 320-301 | 300-281 | 280-261 | 260-241 | 240-221 | 220-201 | 200-181 | Recap [360-181] | 180-161 | 160-141 | 140-121 | 120-101 | 100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1 | Full Recap 

Top 300 Songs: 2007-2017: Wannabees [325-301] | 300-251 | 250-201 | 200-151 | 150-101 | 100-51 | 50-1 | Full Recap

 

Others: Bests and Worsts | 30 Worst Songs of 2017 | Top 150 Rock Songs of 2017 | 2018 Artists to Watch | Top 10 TV Shows of 2017 | NFL Review | MLB Review | Soccer/Footy Roundup | NHL Review | 2018 Elections Preview
 

 

My previous years' Best Ofs on ATRL:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 |

All of my Best Ofs lists will be at JGib's Best Of Lists, alongside this site.

 

[Brandon]

 

10/20

Green Light,Hard Times & Heavydirtysoul are my favorites here   

 

[Ghostlysnaker]

2007: Paramore "Crushcrushcrush"
2008: Paramore "Decode"

2009: Green Day "Know Your Enemy"
2010: Muse "Resistance"
2011: Foo Fighters "Rope"

2012: Linkin Park "Burn It Down"

2013: Imagine Dragons "Radioactive"

2014: Kongos "Come With Me Now"
2015: Walk The Moon "Shut Up and Dance"

2016: Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dark Necessities"

 

Such a nice taste  10/10

 

"Still Breathing", "Heavy", "Hard Times" and "Thunder" are my favorites in your Top 20. 18/20  

 

Your #1 is ok kind of catchy I guess. Not my favorite #1

[Nestor 13]

 

 

 

"Run" "Hard Times" 

Perfect TOP 4 (Imagine D./TwentyOne Pilots/ Linkin P/ Portugal The Man)

 

14/20

[potent]

Feel It Still, Heavydirtysoul, and Believer in the top 5

Revivalists, Foo, and Lorde

[Green]

Feel it Still is a great #1  

Great to see Chained To The Rhythm, Green Light, Thunder, Still Breathing there too 

[lhdang2000]

20 Katy Perry/Skip Marley "Chained To The Rhythm"
14 Lorde "Green Light"
11 Imagine Dragons "Thunder"
8 Paramore "Hard Times"
5 Rag'n'Bone Man "Human"
4 Imagine Dragons "Believer"
2 Linkin Park/Kiiara "Heavy" 
1 Portugal. The Man "Feel It Still" 

 

 

 

I prefer Heavy over Feel It Still tho, but they are both great.

 

 

[Legend E]

Green Light  

[JGibson]

Coming later tonight: My 2018 election preview and the NFL Preview. 

 

Starting Saturday: My Top 300: 2007-2017 countdown is coming to a city near you. 

[TayRianaPH]

20 hours ago, JGibson said:

20 Katy Perry/Skip Marley "Chained To The Rhythm"
14 Lorde "Green Light"
11 Imagine Dragons "Thunder"
8 Paramore "Hard Times"
7 Green Day "Still Breathing"
6 The Revivalists "Wish I Knew You"
5 Rag'n'Bone Man "Human"
4 Imagine Dragons "Believer"
3 Twenty|one|pilots "Heavydirtysoul" 
2 Linkin Park/Kiiara "Heavy" 
1 Portugal. The Man "Feel It Still" 

Wow! A strong Top 20! 

Wish I Knew You deserves it all! 

Heavy can be a great YE #1,but #2 is no lesser so cheers to that! 

Katy scoring a Top 20 hit too! 

mine has updated too, hope you pay it a visit!  

[JGibson]

JGib's Best of 2017: NFL Review

The 24th of several installments for the 2017 edition of JGib's Best Ofs. 
Next up: 2018 Elections Preview

 

NFL Review  

2017 NFL Standings  

AFC

AFC East | W    L    T    PCT    DIV    CONF    PF    PA    STK
(1) New England Patriots    13    3    0    .813    5–1    10–2    458    296    W3
(6) Buffalo Bills    9    7    0    .563    3–3    7–5    302    359    W1
Miami Dolphins    6    10    0    .375    2–4    5–7    281    393    L3
New York Jets    5    11    0    .313    2–4    5–7    298    382    L4
AFC North  |  W    L    T    PCT    DIV    CONF    PF    PA    STK
(2) Pittsburgh Steelers    13    3    0    .813    6–0    10–2    406    308    W2
Baltimore Ravens    9    7    0    .563    3–3    7–5    395    303    L1
Cincinnati Bengals    7    9    0    .438    3–3    6–6    290    349    W2
Cleveland Browns    0    16    0    .000    0–6    0–12    234    410    L16
AFC South | W    L    T    PCT    DIV    CONF    PF    PA    STK
(3) Jacksonville Jaguars    10    6    0    .625    4–2    9–3    417    268    L2
(5) Tennessee Titans    9    7    0    .563    5–1    8–4    334    356    W1
Indianapolis Colts    4    12    0    .250    2–4    3–9    263    404    W1
Houston Texans    4    12    0    .250    1–5    3–9    338    436    L6
AFC West |  W    L    T    PCT    DIV    CONF    PF    PA    STK
(4) Kansas City Chiefs    10    6    0    .625    5–1    8–4    415    339    W4
Los Angeles Chargers    9    7    0    .563    3–3    6–6    355    272    W2
Oakland Raiders    6    10    0    .375    2–4    5–7    301    373    L4
Denver Broncos    5    11    0    .313    2–4    4–8    289    382    L2

 

NFC

NFC East |  W    L    T    PCT    DIV    CONF    PF    PA    STK
(1) Philadelphia Eagles    13    3    0    .813    5–1    10–2    457    295    L1
Dallas Cowboys    9    7    0    .563    5–1    7–5    354    332    W1
Washington Redskins    7    9    0    .438    1–5    5–7    342    388    L1
New York Giants    3    13    0    .188    1–5    1–11    246    388    W1
NFC North |  W    L    T    PCT    DIV    CONF    PF    PA    STK
(2) Minnesota Vikings    13    3    0    .813    5–1    10–2    382    252    W3
Detroit Lions    9    7    0    .533    5–1    8–4    410    376    W1
Green Bay Packers    7    9    0    .438    2–4    5–7    320    384    L3
Chicago Bears    5    11    0    .313    0–6    1–11    264    320    L1
NFC South |  W    L    T    PCT    DIV    CONF    PF    PA    STK
(4) New Orleans Saints    11    5    0    .688    4–2    8–4    448    326    L1
(5) Carolina Panthers    11    5    0    .688    3–3    7–5    363    327    L1
(6) Atlanta Falcons    10    6    0    .625    4–2    9–3    353    315    W1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers    5    11    0    .313    1–5    3–9    335    382    W1
NFC West | W    L    T    PCT    DIV    CONF    PF    PA    STK
(3) Los Angeles Rams    11    5    0    .688    4–2    7–5    478    329    L1
Seattle Seahawks    9    7    0    .563    4–2    7–5    366    332    L1
Arizona Cardinals    8    8    0    .500    3–3    5–7    295    361    W2
San Francisco 49ers    6    10    0    .375    1–5    3–9    331    383    W5

 

 

2017-18 Playoff seeds

AFC

1    New England Patriots (East winner)
2    Pittsburgh Steelers (North winner)    
3    Jacksonville Jaguars (South winner)   
4    Kansas City Chiefs (West winner) 
5    Tennessee Titans (wild card)    
6    Buffalo Bills (wild card)   

 

NFC

1     Philadelphia Eagles (East winner)
2     Minnesota Vikings (North winner)
3     Los Angeles Rams (West winner)
4      New Orleans Saints (South winner)
5    Carolina Panthers (wild card)
6     Atlanta Falcons (wild card)

 

2016-2017 NFL Playoffs  

AFC Wild Card

6      Miami      12
3      Pittsburgh      30

 

5      Oakland      14  
4      Houston      27

 

NFC Wild Card  

6      Detroit      6 
3      Seattle      26

 

5      NY Giants      13   
4      Green Bay      38   
 

 

 

AFC Divisional

3      Pittsburgh      18

2      Kansas City      16

 

4      Houston      16
1      New England      34

 

NFC Divisional

4      Green Bay      34
1      Dallas      31

 

3      Seattle      20
2      Atlanta      36

 

 

 

AFC Championship

3      Pittsburgh      17
1      New England      36    

 

NFC Championship

4      Green Bay      21
2      Atlanta      44

 

 

Super Bowl

A1       New England   34 (OT) 
N2       Atlanta      28

 

2016-2017 Awards

• AP Most Valuable Player:   Matt Ryan    QB    Atlanta Falcons
• AP Offensive Player of the Year:   Matt Ryan   QB   Atlanta Falcons
• AP Defensive Player of the Year:   Khalil Mack    LB    Oakland Raiders
• AP Coach of the Year:    Jason Garrett    Head Coach    Dallas Cowboys
• AP Offensive Rookie of the Year:    Dak Prescott    QB    Dallas Cowboys
• AP Defensive Rookie of the Year:   Joey Bosa    DE    San Diego Chargers
• AP Comeback Player of the Year:    Jordy Nelson    WR    Green Bay Packers
• Pepsi Rookie of the Year:   Dak Prescott    QB    Dallas Cowboys
• Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year:    Eli Manning QB New York Giants, Larry Fitzgerald  WR  Arizona Cardinals
• PFWA NFL Executive of the Year:   Reggie McKenzie    General Manager    Oakland Raiders
• Super Bowl Most Valuable Player:    Tom Brady    QB   New England Patriots
• NFL.com Fantasy Player of the Year:    David Johnson    RB    Arizona Cardinals
• Deacon Jones Award:  Vic Beasley Jr.    LB    Atlanta Falcons
• Art Rooney Award: Frank Gore    RB    Indianapolis Colts

 

 

 

My All-2017 Team:

Offense (29)

• QB Carson Wentz, PHIL | Jared Goff, LAR | Philip Rivers, LAC
• RB Le'Veon Bell, PITT | Kareem Hunt, KC | Todd Gurley, LAR | Mark Ingram, NO
• FB Kyle Juszczyk, SF
• WR Antonio Brown, PITT | Larry Fitzgerald, AZ | DeAndre Hopkins, HOU
• WR Michael Thomas, NO | Julio Jones, ATL | Keenan Allen, LAC | Jarvis Landry, MIA
• TE Travis Kelce, KC | Zach Ertz, PHIL | Jimmy Graham, SEA
• LT Joe Thomas, CLE | Terron Armstead, NO
• LG David DeCastro, PITT | Rodger Saffold, LAR
• C Maurkice Pouncey, PITT | Jason Kelce, PHIL | Alex Mack, ATL
• RG Marshal Yanda, BAL | Zach Martin, DAL
• RT Jack Conklin, TENN | Marcus Gilbert, PITT 

Defense (29)

• DE Khalil Mack, OAK | Calais Campbell, JAX
• DT Linval Joseph, MINN | Michael Brockers, LAR
• DT Malcom Brown, NE | Geno Atkins, CIN
• DE Joey Bosa, SD | Demarcus Lawrence, DAL | Aaron Donald, LAR
• OLB Chandler Jones, AZ | Ryan Kerrigan, WASH | Tahir Whitehead, DET
• MLB Luke Kuechly, CAR | Preston Brown, BUF | Ryan Shazier, PITT | Bobby Wagner, SEA
• OLB Terrell Suggs, BAL | Melvin Ingram, LAC | Jadeveon Clowney, HOU
• CB Marshon Lattimore, NO | Darius Slay, DET | A.J. Bouye, JAX
• FS Reshad Jones, MIA | Kevin Byard, TENN 
• SS Malcolm Jenkins, PHIL | Landon Collins, NYG 
• CB Jalen Ramsey, JAX | Brandon Carr, BAL  | Mike Hilton, PITT 

Special Teams (7)

• K Chris Boswell, PITT | Greg Zuerlein, LAR
• P  Sam Koch, BAL  
• KR/PR Tyler Lockett, SEA (KR) | Tyreek Hill, KC (PR) 
• ST JuJu Smith-Schuster, PITT
• LS Jake McQuaide, LAR

 

 

Last Year:  

2016 NFL Standings
AFC
AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) New England Patriots 14 2 0 .875 5–1 11–1 441 250 W7
(6) Miami Dolphins 10 6 0 .625 4–2 7–5 363 380 L1
Buffalo Bills 7 9 0 .438 1–5 4–8 399 378 L2
New York Jets 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 275 409 W1

AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Pittsburgh Steelers 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 399 327 W7
Baltimore Ravens 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 343 321 L2
Cincinnati Bengals 6 9 1 .406 3–3 5–7 325 315 W1
Cleveland Browns 1 15 0 .063 0–6 1–11 264 452 L1

AFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Houston Texans 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 279 328 L1
Tennessee Titans 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 381 378 W1
Indianapolis Colts 8 8 0 .500 3–3 5–7 411 392 W1
Jacksonville Jaguars 3 13 0 .188 2–4 2–10 318 400 L1

AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Kansas City Chiefs 12 4 0 .750 6–0 9–3 389 311 W2
(5) Oakland Raiders 12 4 0 .750 3–3 9–3 416 385 L1
Denver Broncos 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 333 297 W1
San Diego Chargers 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 410 423 L5

NFC
NFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Dallas Cowboys 13 3 0 .813 3–3 9–3 421 306 L1
(5) New York Giants 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 310 284 W1
Washington Redskins 8 7 1 .531 3–3 6–6 396 383 L1
Philadelphia Eagles 7 9 0 .438 2–4 5–7 367 331 W2

NFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Green Bay Packers 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 432 388 W6
(6) Detroit Lions 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 346 358 L3
Minnesota Vikings 8 8 0 .500 2–4 5–7 327 307 W1
Chicago Bears 3 13 0 .188 2–4 3–9 279 399 L4

NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Atlanta Falcons 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 540 406 W4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9 7 0 .563 4–2 7–5 354 369 W1
New Orleans Saints 7 9 0 .438 2–4 6–6 469 454 L1
Carolina Panthers 6 10 0 .375 1–5 5–7 369 402 L2

NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Seattle Seahawks 10 5 1 .656 3–2–1 6–5–1 354 292 W1
Arizona Cardinals 7 8 1 .469 4–1–1 6–5–1 462 368 W2
Los Angeles Rams 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 230 438 L7
San Francisco 49ers 2 14 0 .125 2–4 2–10 309 480 L1

2016-17 Playoff seeds
Seed AFC | NFC

• 1 New England Patriots (East winner) | Dallas Cowboys (East winner)
• 2 Kansas City Chiefs (West winner) | Atlanta Falcons (South winner)
• 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (North winner) | Seattle Seahawks (West winner)
• 4 Houston Texans (South winner) | Green Bay Packers (North winner)
• 5 Oakland Raiders (wild card) | New York Giants (wild card)
• 6 Miami Dolphins (wild card) | Detroit Lions (wild card)

2015-2016 NFL Playoffs
AFC Wild Card
6 Pittsburgh 18
3 Cincinnati 16

5 Kansas City 30
4 Houston 0

AFC Divisional
5 Kansas City 20
2 New England 27

6 Pittsburgh 16
1 Denver 23

AFC Championship
2 New England 18
1 Denver 20  

Super Bowl
N1 Carolina 10
A1 Denver 24 

NFC Championship
2 Arizona 15
1 Carolina 49

NFC Divisional
5 Green Bay 20
2 Arizona 26

6 Seattle 24
1 Carolina 31

NFC Wild Card
5 Green Bay 35
4 Washington 18

6 Seattle 10
3 Minnesota 9


2015-2016 Awards

• AP Most Valuable Player: Cam Newton Quarterback Carolina Panthers
• AP Offensive Player of the Year: Cam Newton Quarterback Carolina Panthers
• AP Defensive Player of the Year: J. J. Watt Defensive end Houston Texans
• AP Coach of the Year: Ron Rivera Coach Carolina Panthers
• AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Todd Gurley Running back St. Louis Rams
• AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Marcus Peters Cornerback Kansas City Chiefs
• AP Comeback Player of the Year: Eric Berry Safety Kansas City Chiefs
• Pepsi Rookie of the Year: Jameis Winston Quarterback Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: Anquan Boldin Wide receiver San Francisco 49ers
• PFWA NFL Executive of the Year: Mike Maccagnan General Manager New York Jets
• Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Von Miller Linebacker Denver Broncos
• Deacon Jones Award: J.J. Watt DE Houston Texans
• Art Rooney Award: Charles Woodson CB Oakland Raiders

My All-2016 Team:
Offense (28)

• QB Aaron Rodgers, GB | Matt Ryan, ATL | Drew Brees, NO
• RB Ezekiel Elliott, DAL | David Johnson, ARIZ | Jordan Howard, CHI | Le'Veon Bell, PITT
• FB Kyle Juszczyk, BAL
• WR Julio Jones, ATL | Antonio Brown, PITT | Mike Evans, TB
• WR T.Y. Hilton, IND | Odell Beckham, Jr., NYG | Jordy Nelson, GB
• TE Travis Kelce, KC | Cameron Brate, TB | Greg Olsen, CAR
• LT Tyron Smith, DAL | Joe Staley, SF
• LG Trai Turner, CAR | Josh Sitton, CHI
• C Maurkice Pouncey, PITT | Ryan Kalil, CAR | Travis Frederick, DAL
• RG Zack Martin, DAL | Marshal Yanda, BAL
• RT Joe Thomas, CLE | Donald Penn, OAK

Defense (28)

• DE Khalil Mack, OAK | Cliff Avril, SEA | Danielle Hunter, MINN
• DT Geno Atkins, CIN | Linval Joseph, MINN
• DT Aaron Donald, LA | Gerald McCoy, TB
• DE Cameron Wake, MIA | Joey Bosa, SD
• OLB Vic Beasley, ATL | Von Miller, DEN | Ryan Kerrigan, WASH
• MLB Bobby Wagner, SEA | Zach Brown, BUFF | Luke Kuechly, CAR | C. J. Mosley, BAL
• OLB Sean Lee, DAL | Markus Golden, ARIZ
• CB Marcus Peters, KC | Aqib Talib, DEN | Jalen Ramsey, JAX
• FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, GB | Devin McCourty, NE
• SS Eric Berry, KC | Quintin Demps, HOU
• CB Casey Hayward, SD | Patrick Peterson, ARIZ | Xavier Rhodes, MINN

Special Teams (8)

• K Justin Tucker, BAL | Matt Bryant, ATL
• P Johnny Hekker, LA
• KR/PR Cordarrelle Patterson, MINN (KR) | Tyreek Hill, KC (PR) | Alex Erickson, CIN
• ST Dwayne Harris, NYG
• LS L.P. Ladouceur, DAL

 

Hashtags: #JGibsBestof2017, #ATRLBestof2017

 

Top 360 of 2017 Updates: Wannabees [400-361] | 360-341 | 340-321 | 320-301 | 300-281 | 280-261 | 260-241 | 240-221 | 220-201 | 200-181 | Recap [360-181] | 180-161 | 160-141 | 140-121 | 120-101 | 100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1 | Full Recap 

Top 300 Songs: 2007-2017: Wannabees [325-301] | 300-251 | 250-201 | 200-151 | 150-101 | 100-51 | 50-1 | Full Recap

 

Others: Bests and Worsts | 30 Worst Songs of 2017 | Top 150 Rock Songs of 2017 | 2018 Artists to Watch | Top 10 TV Shows of 2017 | NFL Review | MLB Review | Soccer/Footy Roundup | NHL Review | 2018 Elections Preview
 

 

My previous years' Best Ofs on ATRL:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 |

All of my Best Ofs lists will be at JGib's Best Of Lists, alongside this site. 

 

[Pedro]

Sports?

 

[Topmaster 2]

On 1/1/2018 at 0:45 AM, JGibson said:

77 Manchester Orchestra "The Gold" 

YAAAS

 

And great #1 FIS  

[JGibson]

6 hours ago, Pedro said:

Sports?

 

@Pedro: Yes, sports (MLB, NFL, NHL, and now soccer [mostly the top Euro leagues+MLS+Liga MX and international competitions]) are featured as part of my best ofs every year. 

[Legend E]

Sports?

 

[JGibson]

JGib's Best of 2017: 2018 Elections Preview  

The 25th of several installments for the 2017 edition of JGib's Best Ofs. 
Next up: Soccer/Footy Roundup

 

2018 Elections Preview  

The midterms are coming up if you are from the USA. We have battles in several House and Senate seats that could decide the fate of which party gets control of the House and/or Senate. Down the ballot, several governorships are up and could have massive redistricting ramifications for the 2020s nationwide. Shortly after the midterms, the 2020 race to take on Trump or Pence will begin in full seriousness. 

 

Non-elections news: The Trump-Russia investigation led by Mueller will be growing by the hour this year. 

 

 

2018 Election Predictions:  

Gubernatorial:

Flip from R to D

FL, IL, ME, MI, NM

 

Flip from D to R

none

 

Tossups:

AK, CT, FL, MD, ME, MI, NH, NV

 

Races to Watch

• Alaska: Bill Walker (I) v. Mike Chenault/Scott Hawkins/Charlie Huggins/Mike J. Dunleavy (R) v. unnamed (D) | Verdict: Tossup, I/D hold for Walker
• Arizona: Doug Ducey (R) v. Steve Farley/David Garcia (D) | Verdict: Lean R, narrow GOP hold for Ducey
• Colorado: Steve Barlock/Cynthia Coffman/Lew Gaiter/Greg Lopez/Victor Mitchell/Doug Robinson/Jim Rundberg/Walker Stapleton/Tom Tancredo (R) v. Noel Ginsburg/Mike Johnston/Cary Kennedy/Donna Lynne/Jared Polis/Erik Underwood (D) | Verdict: Lean D, D hold for whoever wins primary
• Connecticut: Mark D. Boughton/Mike Handler/Tim Herbst/Mark Lauretti/Peter Lumaj/Stephen A. Obsitnik/Prasad Srinivasan/Bob Stefanowski/Joe Visconti/David M. Walker (R) v. Dan Drew/Joe Ganim/Mark Stewart Greenstein (D) | Verdict: Tossup/Tilt D, Tight D hold as the anti-GOP wave is enough to keep this seat blue.
• Florida: Ron DeSantis/Jack Latvala/Bruce Nathan/Adam Putnam/Bob White (R) v. Andrew Gillum/Gwen Graham/Chris King/Philip Levine (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dems finally get over the hump here in an pro-Dem wave year, especially if Graham is the Dem nominee and/or DeSantis being the GOP one. 
• Georgia: Casey Cagle/Hunter Hill/Brian Kemp/Clay Tippins/Marc Alan Urbach/Michael Williams (R) v. Stacey Abrams/Stacey Evans (D) | Verdict: Lean R, Narrow GOP hold for whoever wins the GOP primary
• Illinois: Jeanne Ives/Bruce Rauner (R) v. Daniel Biss/Bob Daiber/Chris Kennedy/J.B. Pritzker (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem pickup for whoever wins the primary. The wildcard is the state's ongoing financial crisis. 
• Iowa: Kim Reynolds/Ron Corbett/Steven Ray (R) v. Nate Boulton/Cathy Glasson/Fred Hubbell/Andy McGuire/Jon Neiderbach/John Norris/Ross Wilburn (D) | Verdict: Lean R, GOP hold (but could go the Dems way if everything goes right for them in this R-trending state). 
• Kansas: Jim Barnett/Jeff Colyer/Wink Hartman/Mark Hutton/Kris Kobach/Ed O'Malley/Ken Selzer (R) v. Arden Andersen/Carl Brewer/Laura Kelly/ Robert Klingenberg/Josh Svaty/Jim Ward (D) | Verdict: Lean R, GOP Hold (but closer than it should be). 
• Maine: Ken Fredette/Garrett Mason/Mary Mayhew/Shawn Moody/Mike Thibodeau (R) v. James Boyle/Adam Cote/Mark Dion/Patrick Eisenhart/Mark Eves/Janet Mills/Diane Russell/Betsy Sweet (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dem pickup much needed after LePage leading Maine to 8 years of misery. 
• Maryland: Larry Hogan (R) v. Rushern Baker/Ben Jealous/Kevin Kamenetz/Richard Madaleno/]Alec Ross/Jim Shea/Krishanti Vignarajah (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could be very close either way.
• Massachusetts: Charlie Baker/Scott Lively (R) v. Jay Gonzalez/Bob Massi/Setti Warren (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP hold despite being a strongly Democratic state and an anti-GOP wave occurring. 
• Michigan: Brian Calley/Patrick Colbeck/Jim Hines/Bill Schuette (R) v. Abdul El-Sayed/Gretchen Whitmer (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dem pickup in a state that narrowly went to Trump in 2016 and voted Dem for President in years past consistently. 
• Minnesota: Matt Dean/Keith Downey/Mary Giuliani Stephens/Karin Housley|Jeff Johnson/David Osmek/Phillip Parrish v. Chris Coleman/Erin Murphy/Rebecca Otto/Lori Swanson/Tim Walz (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold (but will be a close one à la 2010 despite a pro-Dem wave).
• Nevada: Jared Fisher/Adam Laxalt/Dan Schwartz  (R) v. Chris Giunchigliani/Steve Sisolak (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could be a close one either way
• New Hampshire: Chris Sununu (R) v. Steve Marchand (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could be a close one either way.
• New Mexico: Steve Pearce (R) v. Jeff Apodaca/Joe Cervantes/Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | Verdict: Likely D, Dems pick up yet another gubernatorial seat.
• Ohio: Mike DeWine/Jim Renacci/Mary Taylor (R) v. Richard Cordray/Connie Pillich/Joe Schiavoni/Betty Sutton/Nan Whaley (D) | Verdict: Lean R, narrow GOP hold (but can flip to Team Blue if everything breaks right for them).
• Oklahoma: Mick Cornett/Dan Fisher/Gary Jones/Todd Lamb/Gary Richardson (R) v. Drew Edmondson/Connie Johnson (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP should hold on here but may be closer than they would like it to be.
• Pennsylvania: Laura Ellsworth/Paul Mango/Mike Turzai/Scott Wagner (R) v. Tom Wolf (D) | Verdict: Likely D, Dem hold. 
• Rhode Island: Giovanni Feroce/Allan Fung/Patricia Morgan (R) v. Spencer Dickinson/Gina Raimondo/Paul Roselli (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold. but could swing to Tossup status. 
• Tennessee: Mae Beavers/Diane Black/Randy Boyd/Beth Harwell (R) v. Karl Dean/Craig Fitzhugh (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP hold, but if Karl Dean is the Dem nominee, a minuscule chance of an upset could happen.
• Vermont: Phil Scott (R) v. James Ehlers/Keith Stern/Ethan Sonneborn/Sue Minter (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP hold despite the Dem wave. 
• Wisconsin: Scott Walker (R) v. Tony Evers/Matt Flynn/Mahlon Mitchell/Kelda Roys/Paul Soglin/Kathleen Vinehout/Dana Wachs (D) | Verdict: Tilt R, race could be a very close one either way.

 

 

US Senate

Current (115th Congress): 51-47-2 [51-49], Republican Control

Projected (116th Congress): 50-48-2 [50-50+VP], Republican Control

 

Flip from R to D

NV, AZ (Flake)

 

Flip from D to R

none

 

Tossups:

AZ (Flake), IN, MO, ND, NV

 

 

Races to Watch

• Arizona (Flake): Kelli Ward (R) v. Deedra Abboud/Kyrsten Sinema (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dem pickup.
• Arizona (McCain): TBA pending McCain's resignation or death. | Verdict: TBA
• Florida: Tom Rooney/Rick Scott/Augustus Sol Invictus (R) v. Bill Nelson (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold (especially in a wave that favors Nelson's party and Puerto Rican migration patterns playing a big role)
• Indiana: Luke Messer/Todd Rokita (R) v. Joe Donnelly (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could go either way. VP Pence is from this state and will make a big play to push whoever wins the GOP primary over the finish line. 
• Maine: Angus King (I/D) v. Eric BrakeyAnn LePage/Paul LePage (R) | Verdict: Safe I/D, Ind/Dem hold. 
• Michigan: Bob Carr/John E. James/Sandy Pensler v. Debbie Stabenow (D) | Verdict: Safe D, Dem hold.  
• Minnesota (Klobuchar): Jim Newberger (R) v. Amy Klobuchar (D) | Verdict: Safe D, Dem hold.
• Minnesota (Franken/Smith): Michele Bachmann/Tom Emmer/Karin Housley/Tim Pawlenty (R) v. Melisa Franzen/Tina Smith/Lori Swanson (D) | Verdict: Likely D, Dem hold but will be the closer of the two Minnesota seats up this cycle. 
• Mississippi (Cochran): TBA pending Cochran's resignation or death. | Verdict: TBA
• Mississippi (Wicker): Chris McDaniel/Roger Wicker (R) v. Jensen Bohren/Brandon Presley (D) | Verdict: Likely-to-Safe R, GOP hold. A McDaniel v. Presley or Musgrove showdown could be the next Moore v. Jones upset opportunity. 
• Missouri: Josh Hawley/Tony Monetti/Austin Petersen/Courtland Sykes (R) v.  Claire McCaskill (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could be a close one either way. The state has zoomed way right since her last race in 2012 (see 2016 Missouri election results partially aided by backlash after Ferguson [Mike Brown] and St. Louis [Kajieme Powell, VonDerrit Myers, Mansur Ball-Bey, Anthony Lamar Smith, and others] civil unrest incidents), so that could hurt her.
• Montana: Russell Fagg/Ron Murray/Al Olszewski/Matt Rosendale (R) v. Jon Tester (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold. 
• Nevada: Dean Heller/Danny Tarkanian (R) v. Jay Craddock/Bobby Mahendra/Jacky Rosen/Jesse Sbaih (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dem Pickup. 
• New Jersey: Jon Bramnick/Jeffrey Chiesa/Joe Kyrillos/Thomas Kean Jr. (R) v. Bob Menendez (D) | Verdict: Likely-to-Safe D, Dem hold (but may be closer than what it should be, especially if Menendez is the Dem nominee). Menendez's possible resignation and expulsion holds large here, so hence the Likely-to-Safe D rating instead of Safe D. 
• North Dakota: Tom Campbell/Kevin Cramer (R) v. Heidi Heitkamp (D) | Verdict: Tossup/Tilt D, Dem hold. Although this state is massively favorable to the GOP, Heitkamp will be able to win a 2nd term.
• Ohio: Mike Gibbons/Matt Huffman/Mary Taylor (R) v. Sherrod Brown (D) | Verdict: Likely D, Dem hold. The GOP's likely nominee Josh Mandel dropped out, so it leaves a wide-open primary for them.
• Pennsylvania: Cynthia E. Ayers/Lou Barletta/Jim Christiana/Bobby Lawrence (R) v. Bob Casey (D) | Verdict: Safe D, Dem hold. Since there will be a big Dem wave coming, he is essentially safe at this point. 
• Tennessee: Marsha Blackburn/Stephen Fincher/Rolando Toyos (R) v. Phil Bredesen (D) | Verdict: Lean R, GOP hold. The GOP should be favored here, but don't rule out the possibility of former Gov. Bredesen winning, especially if Blackburn's the GOP nominee. 
• Texas: Ted Cruz (R) v. Beto O'Rourke (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP hold. Cruz is favored to keep the seat, but expect his victory margin to be within 10% and/or get held under 55%, instead of the 20%+ margins that Texas GOPers regularly get. If this is the case, then Texas may be on the edges of the 2020 Presidential battleground map. 
• Utah: Jon Huntsman Jr./Mia Love/Mitt Romney/Chris Stewart (R) v. Jenny Wilson (D) | Verdict: Likely-to-Safe R, GOP hold. The GOP should be favored to win this seat easily, but beware of a conservative 3rd party challenge (either from the McMullin wing or the Bannon/Trump wing) here. 
• Virginia: Nick Freitas/E.W. Jackson/Corey Stewart (R) v. Tim Kaine (D) | Verdict: Safe D, Dem hold. Expect the 2016 VP pick of Hillary to prevail here, possibly by 10% or more.
• West Virginia: Don Blankenship/Evan Jenkins/Patrick Morrisey (R) v. Joe Manchin/Paula Jean Swearengin (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold. Despite West Virginia's continuing drift to the GOP at all levels and the Dems on borrowed time downballot, Manchin should be favored to win here. However, when he leaves or dies or gets a good GOP wave year, this seat's going to the GOP. 
• Wisconsin: Leah Vukmir/]Kevin Nicholson (R) v. Tammy Baldwin (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold. Although this state narrowly voted in Trump and re-elected the widely assumed left-for-dead Senator Ron Johnson by a small but sizable margin in 2016, Baldwin should be favored as it is her party has the momentum. 

 

 

US House

 

 

Current (115th Congress): 239-192-3, GOP.

Projected (116th Congress): 233-202, Dems. 

 

House projection: Nancy Pelosi and the Dems regain control of the House. 

 

SCOTUS

Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (LGBTQ rights, religious exemptions, religious liberty, RFRA)

any potential Muslim Travel Ban decision. 

National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra (abortion, crisis pregnancy centers, reproductive rights, 1st Amendment)

Gill v. Whitford (redistricting, gerrymandering, elections)

Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 (unions, public unions, workers' rights)

Carpenter v. United States (privacy, technology, warrantless seizure)

Sessions v. Dimaya (undocumented immigrants, immigration)

Christie v. NCAA (sports, gambling)

Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute (voting rights, Ohio, voter suppression, voter registration)

 

Ballot Measures

Oregon: Measure 101 (Medicaid expansion, Medicaid, Obamacare [PPACA], taxes)

Wisconsin: Question 1: Eliminating the State Treasurer position. (state government)

Oklahoma: SQ 788: Legalizes medical marijuana in the state of Oklahoma. (marijuana legalization, marijuana, drugs, medical marijuana)

Alabama: State Abortion Policy Amendment: Declares Constitution to Alabama to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children. (abortion, reproductive rights)

Arkansas: Voter ID Amendment: States that a valid ID is required to vote in Arkansas. (voter ID, voting rights, voter suppression)

Colorado: Age Qualification for General Assembly Members Amendment: Reduces minimum age to be eligible to be a State Senator or State Representative in the state of Colorado. (government, age limits, age minimums)

Indiana: Public Question 1: Requires a balance budged for the state of Indiana. (budget, government spending, balance budget0

Massachusetts: Transgender Anti-Discrimination Veto Referendum: A vote to uphold or repeal Massachusetts Senate Bill 2407, which is a bill stating that gender identity as a characteristic for discrimination in public places. (LGBTQ rights, transgender rights, gender identity, transphobia)

Missouri: Proposition A: A vote to uphold or repeal Missouri Senate Bill 19, which legalized right-to-work for less in Missouri. (unions, labor, workers' rights, right-to-work)

Nevada: Automatic Voter Registration via DMV Initiative: This initiative will focus on whether Nevada should implement AVR. (voter registration, voting rights, automatic voter registration)

 

- Maps and ratings posted are as of my 01.05.2018 2018's Election Projections update.

 

 

[JGibson]

2 minutes ago, JGibson said:

JGib's Best of 2017: 2018 Elections Preview  

The 25th of several installments for the 2017 edition of JGib's Best Ofs. 
Next up: Soccer/Footy Roundup

 

2018 Elections Preview  

The midterms are coming up if you are from the USA. We have battles in several House and Senate seats that could decide the fate of which party gets control of the House and/or Senate. Down the ballot, several governorships are up and could have massive redistricting ramifications for the 2020s nationwide. Shortly after the midterms, the 2020 race to take on Trump or Pence will begin in full seriousness. 

 

Non-elections news: The Trump-Russia investigation led by Mueller will be growing by the hour this year. 

 

 

2018 Election Predictions:  

Gubernatorial:

Flip from R to D

FL, IL, ME, MI, NM

 

Flip from D to R

none

 

Tossups:

AK, CT, FL, MD, ME, MI, NH, NV

 

Races to Watch

• Alaska: Bill Walker (I) v. Mike Chenault/Scott Hawkins/Charlie Huggins/Mike J. Dunleavy (R) v. unnamed (D) | Verdict: Tossup, I/D hold for Walker
• Arizona: Doug Ducey (R) v. Steve Farley/David Garcia (D) | Verdict: Lean R, narrow GOP hold for Ducey
• Colorado: Steve Barlock/Cynthia Coffman/Lew Gaiter/Greg Lopez/Victor Mitchell/Doug Robinson/Jim Rundberg/Walker Stapleton/Tom Tancredo (R) v. Noel Ginsburg/Mike Johnston/Cary Kennedy/Donna Lynne/Jared Polis/Erik Underwood (D) | Verdict: Lean D, D hold for whoever wins primary
• Connecticut: Mark D. Boughton/Mike Handler/Tim Herbst/Mark Lauretti/Peter Lumaj/Stephen A. Obsitnik/Prasad Srinivasan/Bob Stefanowski/Joe Visconti/David M. Walker (R) v. Dan Drew/Joe Ganim/Mark Stewart Greenstein (D) | Verdict: Tossup/Tilt D, Tight D hold as the anti-GOP wave is enough to keep this seat blue.
• Florida: Ron DeSantis/Jack Latvala/Bruce Nathan/Adam Putnam/Bob White (R) v. Andrew Gillum/Gwen Graham/Chris King/Philip Levine (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dems finally get over the hump here in an pro-Dem wave year, especially if Graham is the Dem nominee and/or DeSantis being the GOP one. 
• Georgia: Casey Cagle/Hunter Hill/Brian Kemp/Clay Tippins/Marc Alan Urbach/Michael Williams (R) v. Stacey Abrams/Stacey Evans (D) | Verdict: Lean R, Narrow GOP hold for whoever wins the GOP primary
• Illinois: Jeanne Ives/Bruce Rauner (R) v. Daniel Biss/Bob Daiber/Chris Kennedy/J.B. Pritzker (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem pickup for whoever wins the primary. The wildcard is the state's ongoing financial crisis. 
• Iowa: Kim Reynolds/Ron Corbett/Steven Ray (R) v. Nate Boulton/Cathy Glasson/Fred Hubbell/Andy McGuire/Jon Neiderbach/John Norris/Ross Wilburn (D) | Verdict: Lean R, GOP hold (but could go the Dems way if everything goes right for them in this R-trending state). 
• Kansas: Jim Barnett/Jeff Colyer/Wink Hartman/Mark Hutton/Kris Kobach/Ed O'Malley/Ken Selzer (R) v. Arden Andersen/Carl Brewer/Laura Kelly/ Robert Klingenberg/Josh Svaty/Jim Ward (D) | Verdict: Lean R, GOP Hold (but closer than it should be). 
• Maine: Ken Fredette/Garrett Mason/Mary Mayhew/Shawn Moody/Mike Thibodeau (R) v. James Boyle/Adam Cote/Mark Dion/Patrick Eisenhart/Mark Eves/Janet Mills/Diane Russell/Betsy Sweet (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dem pickup much needed after LePage leading Maine to 8 years of misery. 
• Maryland: Larry Hogan (R) v. Rushern Baker/Ben Jealous/Kevin Kamenetz/Richard Madaleno/]Alec Ross/Jim Shea/Krishanti Vignarajah (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could be very close either way.
• Massachusetts: Charlie Baker/Scott Lively (R) v. Jay Gonzalez/Bob Massi/Setti Warren (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP hold despite being a strongly Democratic state and an anti-GOP wave occurring. 
• Michigan: Brian Calley/Patrick Colbeck/Jim Hines/Bill Schuette (R) v. Abdul El-Sayed/Gretchen Whitmer (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dem pickup in a state that narrowly went to Trump in 2016 and voted Dem for President in years past consistently. 
• Minnesota: Matt Dean/Keith Downey/Mary Giuliani Stephens/Karin Housley|Jeff Johnson/David Osmek/Phillip Parrish v. Chris Coleman/Erin Murphy/Rebecca Otto/Lori Swanson/Tim Walz (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold (but will be a close one à la 2010 despite a pro-Dem wave).
• Nevada: Jared Fisher/Adam Laxalt/Dan Schwartz  (R) v. Chris Giunchigliani/Steve Sisolak (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could be a close one either way
• New Hampshire: Chris Sununu (R) v. Steve Marchand (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could be a close one either way.
• New Mexico: Steve Pearce (R) v. Jeff Apodaca/Joe Cervantes/Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | Verdict: Likely D, Dems pick up yet another gubernatorial seat.
• Ohio: Mike DeWine/Jim Renacci/Mary Taylor (R) v. Richard Cordray/Connie Pillich/Joe Schiavoni/Betty Sutton/Nan Whaley (D) | Verdict: Lean R, narrow GOP hold (but can flip to Team Blue if everything breaks right for them).
• Oklahoma: Mick Cornett/Dan Fisher/Gary Jones/Todd Lamb/Gary Richardson (R) v. Drew Edmondson/Connie Johnson (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP should hold on here but may be closer than they would like it to be.
• Pennsylvania: Laura Ellsworth/Paul Mango/Mike Turzai/Scott Wagner (R) v. Tom Wolf (D) | Verdict: Likely D, Dem hold. 
• Rhode Island: Giovanni Feroce/Allan Fung/Patricia Morgan (R) v. Spencer Dickinson/Gina Raimondo/Paul Roselli (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold. but could swing to Tossup status. 
• Tennessee: Mae Beavers/Diane Black/Randy Boyd/Beth Harwell (R) v. Karl Dean/Craig Fitzhugh (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP hold, but if Karl Dean is the Dem nominee, a minuscule chance of an upset could happen.
• Vermont: Phil Scott (R) v. James Ehlers/Keith Stern/Ethan Sonneborn/Sue Minter (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP hold despite the Dem wave. 
• Wisconsin: Scott Walker (R) v. Tony Evers/Matt Flynn/Mahlon Mitchell/Kelda Roys/Paul Soglin/Kathleen Vinehout/Dana Wachs (D) | Verdict: Tilt R, race could be a very close one either way.

 

 

US Senate

Current (115th Congress): 51-47-2 [51-49], Republican Control

Projected (116th Congress): 50-48-2 [50-50+VP], Republican Control

 

Flip from R to D

NV, AZ (Flake)

 

Flip from D to R

none

 

Tossups:

AZ (Flake), IN, MO, ND, NV

 

 

Races to Watch

Arizona (Flake): Kelli Ward (R) v. Deedra Abboud/Kyrsten Sinema (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dem pickup.

Arizona (McCain): TBA pending McCain's resignation or death. | Verdict: TBA

Florida: Tom Rooney/Rick Scott/Augustus Sol Invictus (R) v. Bill Nelson (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold (especially in a wave that favors Nelson's party and Puerto Rican migration patterns playing a big role)

Indiana: Luke Messer/Todd Rokita (R) v. Joe Donnelly (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could go either way. VP Pence is from this state and will make a big play to push whoever wins the GOP primary over the finish line. 

Maine: Angus King (I/D) v. Eric BrakeyAnn LePage/Paul LePage (R) | Verdict: Safe I/D, Ind/Dem hold. 

Michigan: Bob Carr/John E. James/Sandy Pensler v. Debbie Stabenow (D) | Verdict: Safe D, Dem hold.  

Minnesota (Klobuchar): Jim Newberger (R) v. Amy Klobuchar (D) | Verdict: Safe D, Dem hold.
Minnesota (Franken/Smith): Michele Bachmann/Tom Emmer/Karin Housley/Tim Pawlenty (R) v. Melisa Franzen/Tina Smith/Lori Swanson (D) | Verdict: Likely D, Dem hold but will be the closer of the two Minnesota seats up this cycle. 

Mississippi (Cochran): TBA pending Cochran's resignation or death. | Verdict: TBA

Mississippi (Wicker): Chris McDaniel/Roger Wicker (R) v. Jensen Bohren/Brandon Presley (D) | Verdict: Likely-to-Safe R, GOP hold. A McDaniel v. Presley or Musgrove showdown could be the next Moore v. Jones upset opportunity. 

Missouri: Josh Hawley/Tony Monetti/Austin Petersen/Courtland Sykes (R) v.  Claire McCaskill (D) | Verdict: Tossup, could be a close one either way. The state has zoomed way right since her last race in 2012 (see 2016 Missouri election results partially aided by backlash after Ferguson [Mike Brown] and St. Louis [Kajieme Powell, VonDerrit Myers, Mansur Ball-Bey, Anthony Lamar Smith, and others] civil unrest incidents), so that could hurt her.

Montana: Russell Fagg/Ron Murray/Al Olszewski/Matt Rosendale (R) v. Jon Tester (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold. 

Nevada: Dean Heller/Danny Tarkanian (R) v. Jay Craddock/Bobby Mahendra/Jacky Rosen/Jesse Sbaih (D) | Verdict: Tossup, Dem Pickup. 

New Jersey: Jon Bramnick/Jeffrey Chiesa/Joe Kyrillos/Thomas Kean Jr. (R) v. Bob Menendez (D) | Verdict: Likely-to-Safe D, Dem hold (but may be closer than what it should be, especially if Menendez is the Dem nominee). Menendez's possible resignation and expulsion holds large here, so hence the Likely-to-Safe D rating instead of Safe D. 

North Dakota: Tom Campbell/Kevin Cramer (R) v. Heidi Heitkamp (D) | Verdict: Tossup/Tilt D, Dem hold. Although this state is massively favorable to the GOP, Heitkamp will be able to win a 2nd term.

Ohio: Mike Gibbons/Matt Huffman/Mary Taylor (R) v. Sherrod Brown (D) | Verdict: Likely D, Dem hold. The GOP's likely nominee Josh Mandel dropped out, so it leaves a wide-open primary for them.

Pennsylvania: Cynthia E. Ayers/Lou Barletta/Jim Christiana/Bobby Lawrence (R) v. Bob Casey (D) | Verdict: Safe D, Dem hold. Since there will be a big Dem wave coming, he is essentially safe at this point. 

Tennessee: Marsha Blackburn/Stephen Fincher/Rolando Toyos (R) v. Phil Bredesen (D) | Verdict: Lean R, GOP hold. The GOP should be favored here, but don't rule out the possibility of former Gov. Bredesen winning, especially if Blackburn's the GOP nominee. 

Texas: Ted Cruz (R) v. Beto O'Rourke (D) | Verdict: Likely R, GOP hold. Cruz is favored to keep the seat, but expect his victory margin to be within 10% and/or get held under 55%, instead of the 20%+ margins that Texas GOPers regularly get. If this is the case, then Texas may be on the edges of the 2020 Presidential battleground map. 

Utah: Jon Huntsman Jr./Mia Love/Mitt Romney/Chris Stewart (R) v. Jenny Wilson (D) | Verdict: Likely-to-Safe R, GOP hold. The GOP should be favored to win this seat easily, but beware of a conservative 3rd party challenge (either from the McMullin wing or the Bannon/Trump wing) here. 

Virginia: Nick Freitas/E.W. Jackson/Corey Stewart (R) v. Tim Kaine (D) | Verdict: Safe D, Dem hold. Expect the 2016 VP pick of Hillary to prevail here, possibly by 10% or more.

West Virginia: Don Blankenship/Evan Jenkins/Patrick Morrisey (R) v. Joe Manchin/Paula Jean Swearengin (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold. Despite West Virginia's continuing drift to the GOP at all levels and the Dems on borrowed time downballot, Manchin should be favored to win here. However, when he leaves or dies or gets a good GOP wave year, this seat's going to the GOP. 

Wisconsin: Leah Vukmir/]Kevin Nicholson (R) v. Tammy Baldwin (D) | Verdict: Lean D, Dem hold. Although this state narrowly voted in Trump and re-elected the widely assumed left-for-dead Senator Ron Johnson by a small but sizable margin in 2016, Baldwin should be favored as it is her party has the momentum. 

 

 

US House

 

 

Current (115th Congress): 239-192-3, GOP.

Projected (116th Congress): 233-202, Dems. 

 

House projection: Nancy Pelosi and the Dems regain control of the House. 

 

SCOTUS

Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (LGBTQ rights, religious exemptions, religious liberty, RFRA)

any potential Muslim Travel Ban decision. 

National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra (abortion, crisis pregnancy centers, reproductive rights, 1st Amendment)

Gill v. Whitford (redistricting, gerrymandering, elections)

Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 (unions, public unions, workers' rights)

Carpenter v. United States (privacy, technology, warrantless seizure)

Sessions v. Dimaya (undocumented immigrants, immigration)

Christie v. NCAA (sports, gambling)

Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute (voting rights, Ohio, voter suppression, voter registration)

 

Ballot Measures

Oregon: Measure 101 (Medicaid expansion, Medicaid, Obamacare [PPACA], taxes)

Wisconsin: Question 1: Eliminating the State Treasurer position. (state government)

Oklahoma: SQ 788: Legalizes medical marijuana in the state of Oklahoma. (marijuana legalization, marijuana, drugs, medical marijuana)

Alabama: State Abortion Policy Amendment: Declares Constitution to Alabama to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children. (abortion, reproductive rights)

Arkansas: Voter ID Amendment: States that a valid ID is required to vote in Arkansas. (voter ID, voting rights, voter suppression)

Colorado: Age Qualification for General Assembly Members Amendment: Reduces minimum age to be eligible to be a State Senator or State Representative in the state of Colorado. (government, age limits, age minimums)

Indiana: Public Question 1: Requires a balance budged for the state of Indiana. (budget, government spending, balance budget0

Massachusetts: Transgender Anti-Discrimination Veto Referendum: A vote to uphold or repeal Massachusetts Senate Bill 2407, which is a bill stating that gender identity as a characteristic for discrimination in public places. (LGBTQ rights, transgender rights, gender identity, transphobia)

Missouri: Proposition A: A vote to uphold or repeal Missouri Senate Bill 19, which legalized right-to-work for less in Missouri. (unions, labor, workers' rights, right-to-work)

Nevada: Automatic Voter Registration via DMV Initiative: This initiative will focus on whether Nevada should implement AVR. (voter registration, voting rights, automatic voter registration)

 

- Maps and ratings posted are as of my 01.05.2018 2018's Election Projections update.

 

 

Hashtags: #JGibsBestof2017, #ATRLBestof2017

 

Top 360 of 2017 Updates: Wannabees [400-361] | 360-341 | 340-321 | 320-301 | 300-281 | 280-261 | 260-241 | 240-221 | 220-201 | 200-181 | Recap [360-181] | 180-161 | 160-141 | 140-121 | 120-101 | 100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1 | Full Recap 

Top 300 Songs: 2007-2017: Wannabees [325-301] | 300-251 | 250-201 | 200-151 | 150-101 | 100-51 | 50-1 | Full Recap

 

Others: Bests and Worsts | 30 Worst Songs of 2017 | Top 150 Rock Songs of 2017 | 2018 Artists to Watch | Top 10 TV Shows of 2017 | NFL Review | MLB Review | Soccer/Footy Roundup | NHL Review | 2018 Elections Preview
 

 

My previous years' Best Ofs on ATRL:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 |

All of my Best Ofs lists will be at JGib's Best Of Lists, alongside this site. 

[Pedro]

12 hours ago, JGibson said:

@Pedro: Yes, sports (MLB, NFL, NHL, and now soccer [mostly the top Euro leagues+MLS+Liga MX and international competitions]) are featured as part of my best ofs every year. 

Not saying other wise, I am just stating that I literally "don't know her"

[Legend E]

woo this red country