As the UW Athletic Dept. tweet described it this morning, it's like Christmas. Literally, if you're me and it just took you almost two hours to get to work because DC is a winter wonderland. So, a quick update on Illinois and then onto the important news.

Apparently, the tea party movement isn't as strong as is portrayed, as Mark Kirk won the Republican Senate primary last night, despite being considered a RINO by most. (That's "Republican In Name Only" for those you who aren't literate in acronym speak) The Fix breaks the whole thing down, while Politico headlines the chance Republicans could win back the Senate.

Kirk, who voted for ACES in the House, but said he would vote against it as a Senator, will go up against Alexi Giannoulias, the current state treasurer of Illinois. The Republican establishment wasted no time in attacking him last night. You have to love the voice in there. The NRSC really outdid itself.

That Fix link includes some other great info about the 2012 presidential race and Nevada.

And finally, wanted to link this unreal DailyKos poll that lit up Washington yesterday. Highlights? Well, the whole thing really. This is one of those polls where the effect of the media is very clear, as evidenced by 6-in-10 calling Obama a socialist. My favorite, just because it was the only one even close to this lopsided: "do you support the death penalty?" - 91% yes.

Last political thing is this amazing picture of the White House last night:
I know it doesn't even look real, but that was actually what my street looked like too. Like I said, winter wonderland.

Now, to the big things: football. Today is national signing day. The Huskies are projected to sign about 30 players in Steve Sarkisian's first class. For those of you who know a little something about recruiting, you say 30 is more than is allowed. Well, yes, technically each class can only have 25. However, players enrolling early (winter or spring quarter at UW), or that will push their entrance back, are counted against 2009 or 2011, respectively. Several of UW's recruits are doing that, such as Nick Montana.

I am sure you recognize that name, huh? And yes, I've been lucky enough to meet his father, a couple of years ago, at a UW game.

Bob Condotta has a live blog thread, following the Huskies' action all day long. If you read it you will see that UW started the day off big, with a commitment from Sean Parker, who picked the Dawgs over USC and Michigan.

UW has a full signing day website. ESPN obviously has everything you'd ever need to know about anything.

I'll try to check back throughout the day, but will definitely be saying something on Twitter.

Go Dawgs!

UPDATE: Coach Sark press conference right now (3:25 pm E.T.). He's fired up. Shocker.