Ed Bradley, you will be missed.

Since he won’t toot his own horn, I’ll give the young pollster some props. Here are Tom’s pre-election predictions: Senate (D): 49, +5 Senate (R): 49, -6 Senate (I): 2, +1 House (D): 227, +25 House (R): 208, -24 House (I): 0, -1 Governors (D): 29, +7 Governors (R): 21, -7 Here are the projected [...]

Low hanging fruit are those policies in which the party leaders are closer together than further apart.

It’s a good day for moderates/centrists/independents everywhere. But that’s not just me talking. The blogosphere and MSM is buzzing with THE theme of this election…the middle ground is where it’s at. First, E.J. Dionne, Jr. in today’s Wash Post…. …no longer will we pay attention to political strategists who assert that swing voters aren’t important [...]

Apparently Allen is going to concede. It’s Burns who won’t.

It’s official… Democrats wrested control of the Senate from Republicans Wednesday with an upset victory in Virginia, giving the party complete domination of Capitol Hill for the first time since 1994. Jim Webb’s squeaker win over incumbent Sen. George Allen gave Democrats their 51st seat in the Senate, an astonishing turnabout at the hands of [...]

To be sure, this election represented a complete Republican meltdown. The party which seemed robust and idea-driven just two years ago felt sick and empty this year. But give Democrats credit. Somehow, either by divine accident or brilliant strategy, they successfully minimized their many shortcomings while maximizing the failures of their opponents. How’d they do [...]

With Rumsfeld gone, Bush is tapping the former CIA head…literally… “I recognize that many Americans voted last night to register their displeasure with the lack of progress being made” in Iraq, Bush said. (Bush discusses Rumsfeld’s resignation — 1:27) Bush said he has “a series of thoughtful conversations” with Rumsfeld about the defense secretary’s resignation. [...]

I just heard NPR refer to an AP report that Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down. A White House announcement is expected later today. More as it develops. Update: The AP story. Asked whether his announcement signaled a new direction in the war that has claimed the lives of more than 2,800 U.S. troops, Bush said, [...]

With the hoopla of the current political pendulum swing in motion, let’s not overlook the significance of an Independent who had a pretty darn good showing last night … Joe Lieberman Proving the adage, “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,” Lieberman is looking to be in the most stalwart position ever in his political [...]

An amazing night. I was up until about midnight watching the results, but didn’t have the time for liveblogging. Justin and the gang did a great job, though; I found their updates more timely and comprehensive than CNN’s. First, give credit to the pundits: the general consensus of predictions (including my own) were right on. [...]

A preview of Congressional reforms possibilities

Americans demonstrated why our form of democracy is about as good as it gets.

Just look at the nailbiters in Virginia and Montana. Whoa!

Here’s a list from the AP: _Boost the minimum wage? The only question is how high, how fast. _Fiscal discipline? “Remove all doubt. Pay as you go.” _Research on new embryonic stem cells? Scrap the ban on federal funding. _Problematic prescription drug coverage for seniors? “We can do something about that.” _9-11 commission recommendations? Approved [...]

I’m very tired and I hope my fellow contributors make it all worth while for you and yours…indeed… And so it goes…

I really didn’t think the Democrats could take the Senate, but they just might. Jim Talent has conceded to Claire McCaskill in Missouri. Jon Tester is ahead in Montana. It may come down to a contentious, 2000-like recount in Virginia. Quite amazing, considering how much the Dems leave to be desired. And to be understood, [...]

You heard it here first…and the stem cell amendment wins too…by a nose…I just watched the speeches from the candidates and Talent conceded. A Dem pickup in Missouri in the Senate. UPDATE: CNN just called it! We got it before CNN a few seconds before they called it! More here.

(NOTE: look to this one for the latest numbers…more specifics below, updated as we can) HOUSE: 218 needed for majority (R) – 196 (-28) (D) – 229 (+29) (I) – 0 (-1) SENATE: 51 needed for majority (R) – 49 (-6) (D) – 49 (+6) (I) – 2 (+1, but they’re most likely going to [...]

(NOTE: incumbent seat listed on right, and these are the seats that are in play, not ALL of the seats) MONTANA – Jon Tester (D) vs. Conrad Burns (R) -Tester wins MISSOURI – Claire McCaskill (D) vs. Jim Talent (R) -McCaskill wins VIRGINIA – Jim Webb (D) vs. George Allen (R) -Webb wins TENNESSEE – [...]