November Surprise?

How's this for timing:

A verdict against Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants charged with crimes against humanity in connection with an anti-Shiite crackdown in the 1980s will be announced Nov. 5, a senior court official said on Monday.

Sentences for those found guilty will be issued the same day, chief investigating judge Raid Juhi told The Associated Press.

The former Iraqi leader could be hanged if convicted. However, he could appeal the sentence to a higher, nine-judge court.

This is only two days before the midterm elections, and I don't think there's any guarantee that Saddam will be convicted. The whole judicial process over there is so screwy that I think just about anything could happen.

Should Saddam be convicted I think it could give a mild boost to the GOP chances on Nov. 7th, but you know the Dems will scream that this was all planned by Karl Rove. However, if Saddam is acquitted, look out. The entire Iraq war will instantly be branded a failure and it could swing dozens of seats to the Dems.

I would think that both sides are going to sweat this one right down to the wire.