A New Perspective on Iran?  —  Whatever else he may bring to his new job at the Pentagon, Robert Gates apparently holds a view on the highly sensitive subject of relations with Iran that hasn't been embraced by all his new colleagues in the Bush administration.

Democrats take control of the Senate  —  WASHINGTON - 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 …

Iowa's Vilsack to Run for President  —  DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Tom Vilsack said he will officially launch his presidential campaign Thursday when he files documents with the Federal Election Commission.  —  The filing comes two days after his fellow Democrats scored overwhelming victories in state and national elections.

Meeting at The Middle  —  It's over.  —  American voters, in their wisdom, ended an era on Tuesday.  They rejected a poorly conceived war policy in Iraq that has weakened the United States.  They rejected a harshly ideological approach to politics that cast opponents as enemies of the country's survival.

I Feel Liberated  —  RUSH: Just to reiterate, ladies and gentlemen: "It's going to get worse before it gets better."  I'm not trying to be negative.  I'm trying to prepare you here for what is coming.  It is obvious from the president's press conference that his view is …

Pelosi: Iraq isn't a war, Gannett = "the voice of the military"  —  Third in line for the presidency.  Two heartbeats away.  And one of those is arrhythmic.  —  The first segment comes from "The Situation Room."  If you missed the story about the Military Times editorials, read Bryan's post.

A Loss's Silver Lining  —  At least Republicans now know where the "Bridge to Nowhere" leads: to the political wilderness.  But there are three reasons for conservatives to temper their despondency.  —  First, they were punished not for pursuing but for forgetting conservatism.

Post-election Washington  —  And so the inter-party struggle pauses, if briefly, and the intra-party struggles begin.  After such a profound shift of political power as resulted from this week's election, both the winning and losing parties will inevitably enter a prolonged period (months …

Republicans' Angry Factions Point Fingers At Each Other  —  After minutes upon minutes of soul-searching, Republicans are now in recrimination mode.  And the GOP's various factions all agree: This wouldn't have happened if the party had listened to us.  —  In the aftermath of the historic …

RANGEL 'MEANS' TO IRK VP  —  NEW TOP-DOG NYER: I'LL GRAB THE S.O.B.'S OFFICE  —  Rep. Charles Rangel, the incoming chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, revealed yesterday that he's got his eye on Capitol Hill office space now held by the man he recently called a "son of a bitch" - Vice President Dick Cheney.

End of the Revolution  —  Advice to Republicans: Don't go back and check on a dead skunk.  —  If there was still any doubt, the Republican Revolution of 1994 officially ended Tuesday night with the loss of at least 28 seats and majority control of the House of Representatives.

Youth turnout in election biggest in 20 years  —  BOSTON (Reuters) - Young Americans voted in the largest numbers in at least 20 years in congressional elections, energized by the Iraq war and giving a boost to Democrats, pollsters said on Wednesday.  —  About 24 percent of Americans under the age of 30 …