WASHINGTON – The election means Democrats take not only the White House, but also commanding majorities in the House and Senate.
Some of the Democrats are talking about pushing their agenda hard, even before Barack Obama is sworn into office.
Democrats cheered into the night because of their dramatic sweep.
In New Hampshire, GOP Senator John Sununu is out. Rival Jeanne Shaheen called him George Bush’s evil twin.
In North Carolina, Kay Hagan bumped Elizabeth Dole from a seat the GOP has held for 38 years.
Democrats also gained 20 seats in the house.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi sees new hope under President Obama for expanding children’s health insurance and stem cell research funding. President Bush vetoed both issues.
Republicans returning to Washington are relieved they were re-elected. Senator Mitch McConnell is the Senate Minority Leader and explained his view on the election,“Winston Churchill once said the most exhilarating feeling in life is to be shot at and missed.”
The breakdown in Congress could change still.
Ted Stevens has a thin lead in Alaska. However, if his convictions for lying about gifts hold, fellow Republicans say they will kick him out of the Senate.
There is an uncertainty in tight races across the country. Al Franken and Norm Coleman in Minnesota are in a close race.
Saxby Chambliss and Jim Martin in Georgia are also in a tight race, along with Gordon Smith and Jeff Merkley in Oregon.
All face possible recounts or runoffs. However, none threaten Democrats’ new, tighter grip on Congress.
House Speaker Pelosi says the first priority is a new economic stimulus package. After that, the wars, energy, and health care, are all bound to test the progress of a Congress run by Democrats.