But Mr Dos Santos's followers are almost sure to sweep the board again.

ECONOMIST: The oil money may start to trickle down

By January, when the legislative elections are expected, Fatah may be in such tatters that Hamas may sweep the board.

ECONOMIST: Palestine

On the other hand, despite these advantages, government cronies did not sweep the board in the first round of voting on August 27th.

ECONOMIST: Lebanon

Another is that the left will sweep the board, with the Socialists' Lionel Jospin (who became prime minister after Mr Chirac foolishly called an early parliamentary election in 1997) winning the presidential race.

ECONOMIST: The disarray on the French right is bad, and getting worse

You think it will actually sweep the board?

NPR: How Diverse Is 'Oscar'?

"Avatar" is for many the favorite to sweep the board at the Oscars this year: The film has been nominated for nine awards (the same number as "The Hurt Locker") and pundits are expecting the Academy to reward Cameron's high-tech efforts.

CNN: 'Hurt Locker' trounces 'Avatar' at top UK film awards

The electoral college mountain is still dauntingly high: without Ohio, Romney must pretty much sweep the swing-state board.

BBC: Barack Obama's 'firewall' burning - Republicans