Post-Election News

Senator Harry Reid sent this email out to his supporters:

Tonight wouldn't have happened without you. I wanted to send you a note of thanks as soon as possible. Your efforts, your activism and your dollars helped do the impossible. Democrats will be the Majority in the Senate.

From Rhode Island to Washington State, America has spoken, and in overwhelming numbers, they've chosen a new direction -- on Iraq, on health care, at the gas pump, and in the economy.

Just a year ago, it seemed it would take a miracle to take back the Senate. But with your help, we have turned back the Republican tide.

Without the White House or either chamber of Congress, Democrats unified and went toe-to-toe with the Republican noise machine. Truth prevailed thanks to you never letting up.

Over the next few days, there will be plenty of analysis about this election. We don't need the pundits to tell us what happened tonight. Americans chose Democrats, because like them, we stand for change. We will move in a new direction.

We promised to do things differently in Washington, and it's a promise we intend to keep. The American people have cleaned house in this election, and we're going to clean up Washington for them.

From here on out, Halliburton is out. Hardworking families are in.

Special Interests are out. People's interests are in.

Rubber-stamping? Out. Checks and Balances? In.

Staying the course? Out. A new direction? In.

The days of the Do Nothing Congress are numbered. And the rubber-stamping Senate is on its way out. From this day forward, the Bush White House will be held accountable for its mistakes so that we can make the necessary changes to grow and succeed at home and abroad.

Our work together at GiveEmHellHarry.com is not done either. There is still so much work to be done, but for tonight we can celebrate.

Thank you for all you've done and all you will do. You made the difference and for that I am sincerely grateful.

Thank you,

Harry Reid

This next one comes from Senator Chuck Schumer, chairman of the DSCC.

We did it. But really, you did it.

Without the amazing support that people like you have given to the DSCC, there is no way I would be able to utter the following extraordinary words:

Democrats will soon take control of the United States Senate.

Victory in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Missouri and Montana is already ours. We're waiting for final official results, but at this hour, Jim Webb is poised to be the next Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

It all adds up to a six seat swing that will now place the Senate and House of Representatives in Democratic hands for the first time in 12 years. For the first time in over 80 years, no Democratic incumbent lost an election in the House or the Senate. It's a truly a historic victory, and a golden opportunity to chart a new course for America.

This election was the ultimate triumph of our democracy. A Congress that had become unaccountable to its people was defeated. But it didn't happen on its own. You were the catalysts that made this all possible. Every single time the DSCC asked for your help, loyal Democrats like you came through.

The challenges we face at home and abroad in the coming months are daunting. But this much I can assure you: the men and women you just helped send to the United States Senate are true leaders and they've got what it takes to put America back on track.

Every single one of you owns a part of this amazing victory. Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Sen. Chuck Schumer

This next one comes from Congressman Rahm Emanuel, chairman of the DCCC.

It's been said that Washington's often the last place in America to get the news.

Well, let me tell you, last night, the news arrived!

From every corner of the country, members of the DCCC community like you gave their time, their energy, and their hard-earned money on the faith that together we could change this country. Our faith has been rewarded by the American people who sent a resounding, unmistakable message of change and a new direction for America.

This was not just a victory for a party, but an opportunity for our country. And we accept your challenge.

To clean up our broken budget and broken politics.

To promote policies that make it easier for hard-working Americans who are struggling with the costs of health care, college, prescription drugs and retirement security.

To get serious about breaking our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and enacting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission recommendations.

And all Americans have recognized that what we're doing in Iraq isn't working and we desperately need to change course.

We can do these things and we can do more if we put the long-term interests of our country ahead of a constant effort to seek political advantage. It's time for the endless campaign to stop and the hard work of governing to begin.

And this is our pledge to you. You have given us a chance to turn this country around and we'll give you the government that no longer lets you down.

We welcome the opportunity to usher in a new era of responsibility in Washington. And there's a lesson: The American people never lose their zeal for reform, and neither can we. The old era of irresponsibility is over and the new era of real reform has just begun.

And again, I want to thank the DCCC community, who came together to ensure that America is a shining beacon of hope and opportunity.

With our new Democratic majority in the House, we have the opportunity to make that beacon shine even brighter by putting our differences aside and working for a stronger, safer America. You have played a vital role in making history, and none will not forget it.

Thank you one more time.

Sincerely,

Rahm Emanuel

In non-election news, Jim Belushi admits he enjoys Studio 60.

Alan Zweibel has won the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

This was sent by JTA's breaking news:

Jews increased their numbers by two in the U.S. Senate and at least four in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Bernie Sanders, an Independent who was backed by the Democrats, won Vermont´s Senate seat. U.S. Rep. Ben Cardin, also a Democrat, was projected to win Maryland´s seat. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an Independent in Connecticut who has pledged to vote with the Democratic caucus, also won. Another two Jewish incumbent senators are up for re-election this year and were projected to win: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.); and Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) The wins would raise Jewish representation in the Senate to 13, the most Jews that body has had. There were 26 Jews in the House in the last Congress. Six Jewish Democrats -- in Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Arizona, Kentucky and New Hampshire -- were projected to win freshman bids. That means at least 30 Jews will serve in the House in the next Congress, with Cardin and Sanders ascending to the Senate.

That's all for now.