Donkey Ascendant: Bostonist on the National Races

The Massachusetts midterms were downright sane compared to what happened in the rest of the nation. There was voter deception in Virginia. A poll worker strangled a voter in Kentucky (you'd think it would have been the opposite). Computer glitches slowed down voting across the nation. South Carolina's governor wasn't able to vote for himself. Britney Spears divorced K-Fed, which may have been a cultural sign that "The Man" was about to get stuck.

Along with K-Fed, others to be denied a seat in the Big House - meaning the Senate - include Republicans Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, Mike DeWine of Ohio, and Jim Talent of Missouri. The Democrats who are taking their place will be Bob Casey (Pennsylvania), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), and Claire McCaskill (Missouri). Sitting pretty in the Big House is Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, even though things might be a smidge awkward now that he's an Independent rather than a Democrat.

The Dems don't have the Senate yet, as two races are headed for an ugly recount. Montana suffered voter glitches, so Democrat Jon Tester can't yet declare victory over Republican Conrad Burns. It's even worse in Virginia, as Republican George Allen, who spent most of his race with his foot in his mouth, is somehow running neck and neck with his challenger, Democrat Jim Webb.

The Little House tilted towards the Democrats, thereby creating a real burr in the bottom of the Bush administration and changing the leaders of many important committees. To look like you're on top of things, start saying, "Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi" not "Speaker of the House Denny Hastert." If you want to keep track online, Boston.com has a national map and a percentage breakdown by Senate and House.

Donkey closeup from Flickr user Paris Bueller.