After listening to the CNN coverage of election 2006 I’m grateful I haven’t played drinking games for a long time. You know the games where every time you hear something you must take a drink. The most overused, abused phrase of election 2006: “voters are sending a message.”

Thank goodness voters are because this country has had much better days politically.

Last night before going to sleep, I learned that the House have switched to the Democrats and that the Senate race was scary close in a few states. USA TODAY this morning still has it locked at 49 seats each with the close states including Virginia (Jim Webb [D] vs. George Allen [R]) and Montana (Jon Tester [D] vs. Conrad Burns [R]).

The Democrats need both these seats to take a majority, a split would result in the tie being broken by the Vice President and thus remain GOP control. The good news for Dems is both counts favor them so far, but who knows what will happen after the recounts.

My concern over the next two years
If for some strange reason a greater Democratic presence in congress leads to similar inaction we’ve seen the last two years — perhaps due to Bush vetoing more bills — that could play into the Republicans hands in election 2008. I home the Dems don’t waste the opportunity before them. I’m counting on them to do something. It might help if they start a precedent of working five days a week like most the rest of the real world.

Update 10:32am PST: The rafters are shaking. President Bush announced that Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down (thanks darkmoon). For those with Sirius satellite radio, you can listen to the President speaking on Fox News now on Channel 131.

• Gregoire wins recount by 8 votes, say Democrats
• Subpar voter turnout here, your area?
• Montana loop Labor Day to end summer
• Following local Pierce County election results
• How many of the 50 states have you visited?
• Stand and be counted: Vote today