Colorado pundits and pols forecast Election Day results

PolitickerCO.com asked some Colorado political figures and pundits to predict who will win on Election Day. Here's what they said:

John Straayer, political science professor at Colorado State University:

President: Barack Obama (D) 52 percent; John McCain (R) 48 percent

U.S. Senate: Mark Udall (D) 54 percent; Bob Schaffer (R) 46 percent

Fourth Congressional District: Betsy Markey (D) 50.5 percent; Marilyn Musgrave (R) 49.5 percent

Comment: "The safest best would be Udall; next safest on the Democratic side would be Obama, and finally Markey."

On his prediction that Markey will win: "Betting against an incumbent in a district that has been Republican for so long and still has a Republican numbers advantage is still a risky proposition, but I think overall, given the state of affairs that we have, the problems that Republicans have generally, Markey has a shot."

Nathan Fisk, executive director of the El Paso County Republican Party:

Comment: "I think (Straayer's) Obama-McCain prediction (of 52-48) is accurate, except I'd put McCain at the top. I think it's going to be very close. I think it's going to be within one or two percentage points.

"I actually think all the major races will be within a few percentage points of each other. I think it's going to be insanely close.

"I think that if McCain loses Colorado, Schaffer will stand no chance. I think that if McCain wins Colorado, Schaffer still has a very close race ahead of him."

Bob Loevy, political science professor at Colorado College:

Obama 54 percent; McCain 46 percent 

Udall 56 percent; Schaffer 44 percent

John Andrews, former state Senate president (Republican) and radio talk-show host:

Comment: "I'm hoping for a McCain and Schaffer victory and bracing for the opposite. That's as specific as I can be."

Bill Owens, former Colorado governor (Republican):

Comment: "It's going to be close obviously, but I think we're going to win Colorado and I think we're going to win the country."

PolitickerCO.com: Any specific predictions of margins of victory?

Owens: "Nope -- just the one vote more they receive.  One vote's all we need."