Landslide GOP victory? Maybe. Maybe not. Here is why?

Projected Republican Gains Approach 50 House Seats — It has become fashionable to speak of a Democratic comeback, but we're not really seeing one in our forecasting models. Certainly there are some individual races — particularly on the East and West Coasts, as well as some gubernatorial contests outside …

Editor's notes: here is the rub when it comes to headlines such as the above: good news to be sure, but such predictions should come with a stated caveat and that is this: these are only PREDICTIONS. We understand that. But what is not common knowledge is this, half of these projections are within the "margin of error," 4 points or less. Recently, whoever does these reports put Nevada "leaning right." The following day, Angle and Reid were tied . . . . . . . . . . . for the 47th time in two months. Go figure.

Understand that the reason why projections are not as predictive as many claim is found in the fact that they do not measure turnout, among other things. Here are the five considerations that figure most in election predictions:

1. Turnout - and this is the 800 pound gorilla. There is nothing more critical to a specific election result than voter turnout. At the same time, there is nothing that is more difficult to predict, as a rule, than this issue.

2. Regional Polling trends in the days immediately before an election. Congressional District (there are 435 such districts in the 50 states) and State polling figures.

3. Regional economic / employment trends.

4. Comparisons with the similar but historic demographics, polling results and economic trends.

5. Which side in an election is able to capture the emotions of the "independent/uncommitted" voter. Understand that the independent/uncommitted votes out of emotion . This is why so many negative ads are published during any given campaign cycle. This category of voter is the most uninformed (that's why she is an "independent), and, consequently, most often fooled. It was this voting block that brought Obama into power and it is their absence that will see him and his kind gone.

There are many other considerations that effect election results, of course, but the above 5 seem to be the most reliable influences. In the end, election night is like watching the Superbowl. The results are always in doubt until the fat lady starts clearing her throat. Has that already happened? Maybe. Maybe not.