November 09, 2006
Official Enough: Democrats Take Senate
Stick a fork in George Allen. He's done, are are the GOP's slim hopes of holding on to the Senate:
A Democratic takeover of the Senate is appearing likely after an ongoing canvass of votes in Virginia produced no significant changes in the outcome of the hard-fought race led by Democratic challenger Jim Webb, sources told CNN Wednesday.Wednesday night, with Webb leading Republican Sen. George Allen by about 7,200 votes and the canvass about half complete, The Associated Press declared Webb the winner.
CNN does not declare a winner when race results are less than 1 percent and the potential loser may request a recount vote.
A source close to Allen also told CNN that the senator "has no intention of dragging this out."
Meanwhile, a Webb aide told CNN that he plans a formal news conference Thursday morning to declare victory.
A victory by Webb would put the new Senate lineup at 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and two independents -- Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut -- who have said they would caucus with the Democrats.
This outcome in Virginia is hardly unexpected at this point, but perhaps the most interesting aspect of this is that Joe Lieberman, the Senator that the liberal netroots derided as "Rape Gurney Joe", has potentially become a powerful swing vote in the Senate should he decide to act as such. All the bile and hatred directed at him may not easily be forgotten.
Joe noted in his press conference yesterday that although he would "organize" with the democrats (so he keeps seniority), he will be "beholden" to no party and will vote on what is best for Connecticut and his own conscience. Nice job nutroots. Throw your own people under the bus and then expect them to vote lockstep. LOL
Posted by: Specter at November 9, 2006 07:14 AMThe trouble with Joe is tyhat his conscience is so liberal Diane Feinstein is to his right. So is Hillary Clinton. Joe's a liberal Democrat and he's not likely to change a voting pattern that goes back 18 years int he Senate, just because he got thrown under the bus. It does mean though that as long as the Republicans can keep the Senators voting for the war, then Lieberman will make it 50 most of the time.
Posted by: Joe at November 9, 2006 09:28 AMSenator Joe said before the election "I can forgive, but I can't forget". It's hard to see how a three-term senator could not look at most of his fellow Dems who dumped him in a less than favorable light.
Posted by: Tom TB at November 9, 2006 10:33 AMON the other hand, I hope Joe doesnt forget who put him in office.
Moderate Republicans.
Too bad that pussyass loser Chaffee (who apparently wont roll over and be dead) will kill the Bolton nomination.
Posted by: TMF at November 10, 2006 08:54 AM
