John McCain is not going to run as an independent. He’ll still be the Republican nominee, and likely also will be the next POTUS. This election frees him from the need to pander to the Fundie crowd, which I think will actually help him win the job. McCain will run as a moderate Republican. I think one lesson to be learned from the midterm elections is that extremism is dead. Don’t think it matters whether it’s the God Squad or the Loony Left. Moderates are in control, and I expect each party to reign in the radicals.
It’s a banner at the top of the page. Bush’ll have to announce it officially at his press conference. Maybe he’ll pick Lieberman as a replacement? 
GLWasteful, I dropped Nancy a Congratulations e-mail this morning and included your quote. This is so thrilling!!
There’s no linked story yet, but if you look in the big red banner area right at the top of the page, it says. . . “Breaking News >> Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down, sources tell CNN.”
I take it back – it’s there now: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/rumsfeld.ap/index.html
What an amazing day!
CNN has the red “Breaking News” banner up, announcing Rummy is stepping down.
And a one, and a two…and a
Na Na NAH Na…Na Na NAH Na…Oh HELL YEAH*…Goodbye
*nod to Steve Austin
He’d be nuts to do it, because it would look like a purely political ploy to tip the balance of the Senate back to the Pubbies.
But then again, “nuts” and “Bush’s decision” are often interchangable (the fantastic news about Rumsfeld notwithstanding).
Dr. Robert Michael Gates will be the new Secretary of Defense.
Only if he’s approved by the Democratic Majority.
Aside from all but one of the SSM bans passing, this has been an awesome day.
CNN is now saying Tester won in Montana, giving the Democrats and their miscellaneous friends 50 Senate seats. Virginia still not official.
And isn’t this the first time that a same-sex marriage ban has failed to pass in a popular vote?
See, that glass isn’t 90% empty, it’s 10% full! Progress of a very, very slow, painful sort, but nonetheless very vaguely heartening.
Yes it is the first time. Several of the ones that passed were by very slim margins, so maybe we are seeing a change coming.
It may not be official for quite some time. CNN did say, however, that in a state where 2.4 million people voted, it’s very unlikely that Allen could score a net pickup of (at the moment) 6,700 votes.
That made me quiver in my bathing suit area. 
That’s a nice lead-in to a couple of quotes posted on today’s Daily Kos:
I just don’t see it, given McCain’s age and health issues.
It’s buried under the news about Rumsfeld’s resignation, but Dennis Hastert announced today that he will not seek a position in Republican House leadership in the next term.
…not a shot at you, but I find that amusing. In other breaking news, Mark Foley won’t be seeking a leadership post…
I’m amused, too: I’m comparing this news to Hastert’s attitude when the Foley scandal broke.
Perhaps Americans would be willing to risk the age and health in order to have someone with “gravitas” in the WH. McCain is way too conservative for me, and I don’t think he’s a maverick at all, but he does have some dignity, which is more than Bush can claim. Bush still seems callow, even after 6 years on the job.
So much depends upon a red wheel barrow… No, that’s not it. So much depends upon the running mate under those circumstances.
Hey, not to worry, Republicans! Fox News has invented a new position of power for you: Minority Speaker!