As noted over in The Corner, The Buzz has ended its run. I’d like to thank everyone who checked out The Buzz over the past eight months. And of course thank National Review Online for giving me this opportunity. As much as I enjoy writing and reporting, it’s been the interaction with readers on a daily basis that has really made this experience as wonderful as it’s been. The fruitful dialogue, story ideas, tips and daily typo corrections from you, the reader, have helped make this the best year of my short 27-year-old life. There is no way to return that gift other than simply saying thank you.

Daly Thoughts scribe Gerry Daly writes in to say my NJ GOV optimism may not be totally misplaced:

"Keep on dreaming. As I pointed out here, http://dalythoughts.com/?p=4417, in 2000's Senate race which was won by Jon Corzine over Bob Franks, the last two surveys released showed Corzine with a 9 point and an 8 point lead. The final tally was much closer-- Corzine by 3. And this was in a year where Democrats were exceeding expectations (and poll numbers) all over the country, picking up several Senate seats and with Gore winning the popular vote."

"Of course, the wakeup call there is that Corzine still did win that race, but it would not be a shock if this race ends up being much closer than one would expect from the recent poll numbers."

Following a meeting with his cabinet this morning discussing Hurricane Wilma, President Bush took a few questions from the press. Naturally, none of them had to do with Hurricane Wilma. The first question came from Associated Press WH correspondent Nedra Pickler, who asked about the Valerie Plame leak investigation. While the president may have not loved Nedra’s question, he did find something to compliment her about:

THE PRESIDENT: "Nedra, I also said -- this may be the fourth time I've been asked about this, which I appreciate, you're doing your job -- I'm not going to comment about it. This is a very serious investigation, and I haven't changed my mind about whether or not I'm going to comment on it publicly. Fine-looking shades you got there."

Pickler: "Thanks, Mr. President. Bono style." (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: "Wait a minute, you don't need to be endorsing any products here in the Cabinet --" (laughter.)

Buzz reader John think my post earlier today on the NJ GOV race is too optimistic:

“As much as I would like it to be so, 46 to 37 isn't close. 45/34 is worse. That fact that the numbers correlate so well, even with large contingent of undecided voters, bodes poorly. Im afraid that you should brace yourself for the NY Times headline in three weeks: NJ blowout!”

According to today’s Roll Call, House Speaker Dennis Hastert will begin logging entries in his own blog starting this week:

Sometime early this week, visitors to www.speaker.gov will be able to click on “Speaker’s Journal” and read Hastert’s own musings on the political issues of the day and whatever else strikes his fancy.

“The Speaker wants to deliver a personal message to his fellow bloggers once or twice a week, followed by interesting news stories and fact items that may have been overlooked by the press,” said Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean.

The Web log will focus mostly on politics and the Republican agenda but could also include more personal observations. This means that Web surfers may be in store for a few wrestling references or reviews of Hastert’s latest dinner at A.V. Ristorante.

Last night I received an email showing the results of a new blogger poll conducted by Truth Laid Bear. The poll asked bloggers whether or not they support the Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers. As of the most recent count, 243 blogs have responded to the poll, with 72 percent saying they are opposed to the Miers nomination and only 13 percent supporting and 13 percent remaining neutral.

The survey remains open; bloggers wishing to have their position included can do so by following the instructions in the post here:

And you can read the latest responses from the Truth Laid Bear survey here.

Though polls continue to show Corzine with the lead, the race remains close. A new poll conducted by Monmouth University and released by Gannett Newspapers shows 45 percent supporting Corzine, verses 34 percent for Forrester. The good news out of this poll is that 13 percent remain undecided.

Also, the poll was a small sampling, with only 371 likely NJ voters and a 5 percent margin of error.

A New York Times polls shows Corzine leading Forrester 46 to 37 percent. That poll had a much larger sampling, with 1,013 adults and a 3 percent margin of error.

Both polls were conducted a week ago, leaving open the possibility that Forrester could have gained ground in recent days. And both have such a high percentage of undecided voters, it is clear the race is far from over.

This weekend, I attended a campaign event for New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Doug Forrester. His campaign against Jon Corzine has been surprisingly close with the election now less than three weeks away. Polls still show Corzine leading the race, but the numbers have been tightening day by day. John McCain showed up for the event, which took place in a packed room at Brookdale Community College on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Forrester told the packed room:

“We all need to think of ourselves as the same family. When we think of ourselves as being part of the same family, we have to realize that many stand throughout New Jersey. There are many out there who are hurt in NJ and there are some family members out there tonight who are hurting tonight, some heavier and more so than others. When some of the family hurts, all of the family needs to feel that hurt. In order to make sure that we bring ourselves together as family, irrespective of what town we come from, we need to take back New Jersey from the political bosses. We need to take it back from those who would use the power of government just for their own gain and for the gain of their political cronies. That’s what we need to take it back from. We’re taking it back for the taxpayers and those who are most vulnerable in New Jersey.”

After Forrester spoke, McCain addressed the crowd:

“I thank you for being here in support of this good and decent American who is willing to serve the state of New Jersey. A man dedicated to this country, the state of New Jersey, his community and his family. One of the things I know absolutely, the first priority of this good and decent American will be for our veterans. Today, as you know, young Americans are in harm’s way. I know of no one who is more committed to the veterans in our country and in the state of New Jersey than Doug Forrester. I’m very proud that when he becomes the governor of this state, veterans will receive the attention and care that they have earned and deserve.”