Associated Press: The Senate is 51-49

Just minutes ago, the AP called the Virginia Senate race for Jim Webb (word was already out that the GOP was going to lean on Allen to get it over with quickly). I wouldn't call it the last word, but go ahead and savor it for a few moments. Take a deep breath and say it with me: the Democrats have taken control of the House and the Senate.

Democrats wrested control of the Senate from Republicans Wednesday with an upset victory in Virginia, giving the party complete domination of Capitol Hill for the first time since 1994.

Jim Webb's squeaker win over incumbent Sen. George Allen gave Democrats their 51st seat in the Senate, an astonishing turnabout at the hands of voters unhappy with Republican scandal and unabated violence in Iraq. Allen was the sixth Republican incumbent senator defeated in Tuesday's elections.

The Senate had teetered at 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans for most of Wednesday, with Virginia hanging in the balance. Webb's victory ended Republican hopes of eking out a 50-50 split, with Vice President Dick Cheney wielding tie-breaking authority.