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 …

GOP officials: Rumsfeld stepping down  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, architect of an unpopular war in Iraq, intends to resign after six stormy years at the Pentagon, Republican officials said Wednesday.  —  Officials said Robert Gates, former head of the CIA, would replace Rumsfeld.

Press Conference by the President  —  THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.  I say, why all the glum faces?  —  Yesterday, the people went to the polls and they cast their vote for a new direction in the House of Representatives.  And while the ballots are still being counted in the Senate …

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 …

AP: Hastert Won't Seek House Leader Post  —  Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., told fellow Republican lawmakers on Wednesday he does not intend to run for minority leader when Democrats take control of the House in January, officials said.  —  Hastert conveyed word in a conference call …

Just A Step Forward—But What a Step!  —  Here is where we stand right now:  — National Sweep.  Democrats take the national majority in the House, Senate, Governors, and State Legislatures.  The only thing Republicans have left—Bush—still sports a sub-40% approval rating.

The Lou Dobbs Democrats  —  SAY HELLO TO THE NEW ECONOMIC NATIONALISTS.  —  The bums, or at least many of them, have been thrown out.  And so the political conversation turns naturally to the question of what the Democrats will do now that they again share power with a Republican president.

Best of the Web  —  Always Look on the Bright Side of Life  —  This column is scrupulously nonpartisan, but we will bend the rules for a moment and acknowledge that last night's outcome was not what we were hoping for.  As of now, the Democrats have picked up 28 House seats, giving them at least 228 (a majority is 218).

Time To Socialize Medicine  —  HOW DEMOCRATS CAN MAKE THEMSELVES USEFUL.  —  May I put in a word for socialized medicine?  —  The Democrats have won back the House of Representatives and may also have acquired a gossamer-thin majority in the Senate.  They won by not being the party …