Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Front pages
In The Herald, UK political editor Michael Settle reports on think-tank warning of trouble ahead for the public finances, and austerity stretching beyond 2020.
The Mail splashes on the 40,000 hit by the hacking attack on Tesco Bank. The paper points the finger at fraudsters in Spain and Brazil.
In the Evening Times, Hannah Rodger reports a warning from a mother whose son was killed by a falling gravestone that the same tragedy could happen again.
The American Nightmare is the headline in The National, which asks of voters: “Are they really mad enough to put Trump in the White House?”
The FT notes that markets rallied yesterday on news of a slim poll lead for Clinton.
The Times concurs, saying a surge in Hispanic and women voters is putting Trump on the back foot.
The scrapping of eight military bases in Scotland is the lead in the Record and the Telegraph.
Camley’s Cartoon
A tonic for the troops, it’s Camley on a new study highlighting the health benefits of longer GP appointments. Read the story here.
FFS: Five in five seconds
There’s a certain election taking place today. Amid the media blare, here’s what to watch for.
The swing states
The ones that will decide the election. Look out for the results from Ohio, New Hampshire, Michigan (a Clinton must-win), North Carolina (a Trump must-win), Florida, Pennsylvania (a Clinton must-win), Iowa (a Trump must-win), Colorado, Arizona (a Trump must-win), Wisconsin (a Clinton must-win) and Nevada. Hottest indicator? Florida. One way or another it always comes down to the sunshine state. Yesterday, Clinton was leading Trump there by 45.9% to 44.6% (HuffPost Pollster). Also key will be the Senate/House make-up (will Republicans retain control?).
Turnout
High turnout by Latino voters and women equals happy days for Clinton. White working class males and shy Trump voters could be the Republican hopeful’s path to power.
270
The first to reach this number in the Electoral College gets the keys to the White House.
How to follow the action
05.00 editions of The Herald in print and The Midge online; BBC from 23.15pm, ITV from 22.40, Sky from 22.00. YouTube will host live streams from 19.00 from several US channels, such as NBC News, PBS, MTV News and Bloomberg. From 18.00 Twitter will show a video stream from www.twitter.com/gov. Jim Naughtie on BBC Radio 4 from 22.00.
Result by?
Even allowing for the time differences and the (according to polls) tightness of the race, the exit polls for US networks are usually highly reliable, so a result by 06.00 Wednesday, GMT, is expected.
Afore Ye Go
"It's going to be Brexit plus plus plus."
Donald Trump predicts a historic upset on the cards in the US election.
"You've got a chance to right this wrong on behalf of the people of Scotland and also help us in England and Wales to get some justice as well.”
Shadow Scottish Secretary Dave Anderson calls on the Scottish Government to hold an inquiry into the policing of the 1984 miners’ strike in Scotland. Mr Anderson, above left, is pictured with former MP for Midlothian David Hamilton and Nicky Wilson, president of the National Union of Mineworkers, at the National Mining Museum Scotland, Newtongrange. Jane Barlow/PA Wire
“Parliamentary scrutiny yes. Telling the Prime Minister which cards to play - seeking to force her to disclose her hand to those she will be negotiating with - no.”
Brexit Secretary David Davis tells MPs not to bind the Government’s hands by setting out a detailed minimum negotiating position. PA Wire
“It's never difficult to distinguish between a Scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine.”
Defence minister Harriett Baldwin, to SNP groans, wheels out the PG Wodehouse line after Brendan O'Hara, SNP defence spokesman, asked why eight new Type 26 frigates would be built on the Clyde, instead of the promised 13. Above, Ms Baldwin with her miniature dachshund Poppy during the Westminster Dog of The Year competition in 2011.
“It is a tribute to his talent, to his big match temperament and to his tireless endeavour over many years.”
Tennis mad Speaker John Bercow hails Andy Murray’s achievement in becoming number one in the world tennis rankings. Dan Mullan/Getty Images.
We might be a day and a half from the end of the world, but at least Andy Murray will be the world's number one as it closes down.
— Mark Steel (@mrmarksteel) November 7, 2016
And comedian Mark Steel also finds in Murray's ranking a reason to be cheerful.
If 2016 stays true to form, by the end of the week, Trump will be heading for the White House and Ed Balls will be heading to Blackpool.
— General Boles (@GeneralBoles) November 7, 2016
BREAKING: Trump unveils presumptive new White House Chief of Staff & Press Secretary. pic.twitter.com/965oMRLuCI
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 7, 2016
And you think he's joking ...
What happened when Donald Trump was interviewed by ITV News presenter @julieetchitv (OK, a Donald Trump impersonator) pic.twitter.com/BEpm5JBAAd
— ITV News (@itvnews) November 7, 2016
When Julia met Donald ...
"I think the Prime Minister would wish them both good luck.”
The message from Downing Street to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Mrs May, while Home Secretary, had previously called the Republican’s comments about barring Muslims from the US "divisive, unhelpful and wrong". Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
"This tour is going to be huge, my temperament is incredible, nobody has got an entertaining temperament like me and nobody respects women more than I do.”
Robbie Williams impersonates Donald Trump to promote a European stadium tour for his album Heavy Entertainment Show. Yui Mok/PA Wire
Suddenly worried about my book signing here tonight... pic.twitter.com/YNxcGJFaSj
— Ian Rankin (@Beathhigh) November 7, 2016
Life is never easy for a master of crime.
It's seven weeks until Christmas so it's a good time to start preparing detailed rebuttals to your elderly relatives' Brexit arguments.
— Jamie Ross (@JamieRoss7) November 7, 2016
BuzzFeed's Jamie Ross believes in planning ahead.
Thanks for reading. See you first thing tomorrow with a US election special. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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