The Day After

12:39 PM EST

WABC TV just announced that Tester has won the Montana Senate race by less than 4000 votes. The Senate stands now at 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans.
_____________________________________________________________
12:50 PM

WABC TV just announced that George W. Bush has asked Donald Rumsfeld to step down. Bush will announce it at 1 o'clock.
_____________________________________________________________
12:56 PM

Andrew Sullivan thinks maybe Bush would appoint Lieberman as Secretary of Defense? No, it's too political, it's too crazy...
______________________________________________________________
1:00 PM

No, the replacement for Rumsfeld is Robert M. Gates, 22nd President of Texas A&M, and former CIA director under Dad Bush.
______________________________________________________________
1:03 PM

Bush speaks in a press conference from the East Room of the White House. Bush says Rumsfeld appreciates the value of bringing in someone with a fresh perspective. Gates is serving as a member of the Baker-Hamilton committee (the one that's looking into new strategy for the Iraq War).

I'm beginning to feel sorry for Bush...he's stumbling. He says he thought we'd [the Republicans] be fine yesterday. But we weren't fine. Shows how much I know.
______________________________________________________________
1:21 PM

He's getting testy. The media is merciless. "Have the elections repudiated your administration?"

______________________________________________________________
1:31 PM

Kos has the Senate 51 Democrats to 49 Republicans. "Webb has the initial count in the bag." This by way of Kos from Raising Kaine.
______________________________________________________________
1:44 PM

Thank god the press conference is over. It was painful, terrible. I'm outa here...the teach
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4:44 PM

Andrew Sullivan has a handy primer for the state propositions. Here's the direct link.

I'll give you just a few:

Arizona passed proposition making English the official language of the state - 74% to 26% with 99% of the precincts reporting.

California said no to parental notification proposition - 54% to 46% with 98% of precincts reporting.

Colorado said no to an amendment legalizing marijuana - 60% to 40% with 90% reporting.

South Carolina said no to abortion ban - 56% to 44% with 100% reporting.