Americans have voted for change, giving the Democrats the House of Representatives and by the looks of it the Senate as well. They would have total control over Congress if the Democrats’ victory in Virginia is officially confirmed. Democrat James Webb is leading by about 7000 votes. His opponent Republican Sen. George Allen has no intention of dragging it out. The first casualty of the Republican defeat is secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld. He has been the chief architect of the Iraq war, and as we all know it’s not exactly going as planned. He resigned yesterday, President Bush wants ex-CIA chief Robert Gates to replace him. Democrats have been calling for a new direction in Iraq, what this exactly means is still unclear, we will see what they come up with over the next few months. People in Europe and other traditional US allies, such as Australia, have responded positively to the election results. Iraq’s government does not expect a drastic change in America’s Iraq policy.
Democrats could learn Thursday whether they will take control of the Senate, as a canvass of votes in Virginia shows no significant change in the small lead held by Jim Webb, sources told CNN.
A source close to Webb’s Republican opponent, incumbent Sen. George Allen, said the senator “has no intention of dragging this out.”
Wednesday night, with Webb leading 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. (Full Senate news)
A Webb aide told CNN that the Virginia Democrat plans a formal news conference Thursday morning to declare victory.
With the House squarely in the hands of Democrats and a Senate power shift likely, President Bush had breakfast Thursday with outgoing House and Senate Republican leaders and then met with his Cabinet, according to The Associated Press
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