look for democrats to work on that mindset over the next two months. probably. the democrats' other task get democrats to vote since among all registered voters party preference is dead even. 43 to 43. another poll republicans have a 47-45 edge. but republicans continue to register big leads among likely voters. meantime the question rises, did a major force in the obama administration today get the opportunity he's been waiting for, the one that would lead him to step down as the president's chief of staff? so far rahm emanuel is not really saying but this much is certain. mayor daley of chicago today announced he will not seek re-election saying it is time to move on. that's the second piece of a puzzle, the first back in april mr. emanuel expressed an interest in running for mayor of chicago if mayor daley did not. but today the president's chief of staff expressed surprise at mayor daley's decision and in the same statement praised the mayor for his leadership. let's pull this all together with "newsweek" magazine senior washington correspondent and political columnist and msnbc political analyst howard fineman. good evening, howard.