Democrats 'to control US Senate'

The Associated Press (AP) news agency have declared Democrat Jim Webb the winner in the state of Virginia by 7,236 votes over Republican incumbent George Allen. That result confirms that the Democrats now control the Senate and the House of Representatives.

This is simply stunning and goes beyond my wildest imaginings of what the Democrats could hope to achieve at these elections.

AP called the election for the Democrats after contacting election officials in all the state's 134 localities for updated voting figures.

However, the race remains officially open while officials verify preliminary counts at local polling stations before announcing the result.

Though Mr Allen may be entitled to demand a recount, aides were quoted as saying that he did not want to drag out the process and was likely to make a decision on Thursday.

This makes Bush's sudden decision to fire Rumsfeld all the more understandable. I'm presuming that Bush was being told these figures before we were and that his decision reflects the new reality on the ground rather than the sudden change of heart we are asked to believe he made between yesterday and his comments of endorsement last week.

Bush stated yesterday, during the conference announcing Rumsfeld's demise that, "I also believe most Americans - and leaders here in Washington from both political parties - understand we cannot accept defeat."

He was talking of Iraq, but failed to answer the larger question: what relevance does your acceptance have if the defeat has already taken place? And how many more have to die before Bush will admit that his policy is a failed one?

tag: Jim Webb, November, mid-term, elections, Republican, Bush, United, States, George Allen, House of Representatives, Senate,