Welcome to November and “Thursday Numbers!” Thanks for stopping in! If this is your first time visiting The Western Word, this is my weekly column where I take a look at the numbers in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary sometimes laced with just a little sarcasm.

DISCLAIMER: If you read this column you will probably gain knowledge not found on other websites! You may be able to use this information to impress your family, friends, and co-workers. The information might even be life changing – so consider yourself warned…

This week I write about Bronco Bamma, Rick Hill, private sector hiring, Tester/Rehberg Likes on Facebook and Followers on Twitter, Rove’s prediction, the presentencing investigation report, Malmstrom’s missiles, Gallup polling, the border fence, the Electoral College, and much more!

1,504,420

That’s how many views the video, “Tired of Bronco Bamma and Mitt Romney” has received as of this morning. Watch it HERE.

I think we all share Abby’s feelings…

500,000

According to the Associated Press, “A $500,000 donation to Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Hill appears to violate Montana’s campaign contribution limits, a state judge ruled Wednesday in an order preventing the former congressman from spending the money.”

The Montana Republican Party says the ruling shows an “Appearance of impropriety” from the Judge.

This ruling was very interesting to say the least…

158,000

According to a report from CNN Money, “Private sector hiring jumped in October, according to a report released Thursday by payroll processor ADP. Private employers added 158,000 jobs in the month ADP (Automatic Data Processing) said, beating economists’ forecasts of 143,000.”

This is good news for incumbents leading into Tuesday’s election…

13,644

That’s how many “Likes” the Jon Tester Facebook page has as of this morning.

The Facebook page was accessed by going to the campaign website and clicking on their Facebook link.

4,124

That’s how many followers the Jon Tester Campaign has on Twitter as of this morning.

The Twitter page was accessed by going to the campaign website and clicking on their Twitter link.

2,449

That’s how many “Likes” the Denny Rehberg Facebook page has as of this morning.

The Facebook page was accessed by going to the campaign website and clicking on their Facebook link.

699

That’s how many followers the Denny Rehberg Campaign has on Twitter as of this morning.

The Twitter page was accessed by going to the campaign website and clicking on their Twitter link.

538

“The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. Your state’s entitled allotment of electors equals the number of members in its Congressional delegation: one for each member in the House of Representatives plus two for your Senators.” Source: National Archives

279

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal by Karl Rove, who is the former deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush, and organizer of the political action committee American Crossroads, Mitt Romney will receive “at least 279 Electoral College votes” on Tuesday.

Rove is doing his best to put his “spin” on the numbers! The election of President depends on who can get the best turnout in the battleground states, especially Ohio.

155

That’s how many pages there are in the 2011 presentencing investigation report about the boat crash that involved Congressman Denny Rehberg and former state Senator Greg Barkus. The report was released in response to a request by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which released the report on their blog with the headline, “Newly Released Report Reveals Rep. Rehberg Lied – and Cover-Up Likely.”

Additional coverage can be found at Lee Newspapers HERE, the Associated Press HERE, and by Politico HERE.

Overall, the Rehberg campaign probably wishes this was not in the news just five days out from Election Day…

54

According to Gallup polling, “A majority of Americans continue to believe that Democratic President Barack Obama will win re-election Tuesday over Republican challenger Mitt Romney, by 54% to 34%.

Looking Presidential during the hurricane has helped the President. Chris Christie saying nice things about him will help, too.

50

U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s campaign spokeswoman Alexandra Fetissoff was quoted today in the Great Falls Tribune saying, “Malmstrom lost 50 missiles under Congressman Rehberg’s failed leadership…” This was in response to Wyoming’s U.S. Senator, John Barrasso, campaigning for Rehberg in Great Falls and talking about defense issues including the New START Treaty.

Actually, the failed leadership tag about Malmstrom’s missiles can be placed not only on Rehberg, but on Tester and Senator Max Baucus. According to an article about the 50 missiles being removed, the 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office reported, “Malmstrom received formal direction June 29, 2007, from top Air Force leadership to proceed with missile deactivation activities.” Tester took office in January 2007. The missile removal was successfully blocked before 2007…

14

According to this story, “Suspected smugglers who tried to use ramps to drive an SUV over a 14-foot-tall border fence had to abandon their plan when the Jeep became stuck on top of the barrier…”

Looks like fun…

8

Election Day occurs on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, so the earliest possible date for the election is November 2 and the latest possible date is November 8.

Check out this website so when Tuesday comes you will know all about the Electoral College and not sound dumb when talking to your neighbors…

5

There are only five days left until Election Day 2012 (Nov. 6).

Make sure you vote! Here’s a website to help you!