The Senate: One Down, two to go

According to Bloomberg News, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens - the longest-serving Senate Republican - lost his bid to stay in office as ballot counts two weeks after Election Day gave Democrat Mark Begich - the 46-year-old mayor of Anchorage - an insurmountable lead.

The result means Democrats won at least seven Republican-held seats in the Nov. 4 election. More importantly it means the Democrats are two short of the 60 seats needed to prevent the Republican party from blocking legislation with a filibuster.

Two races are still unresolved. The Minnesota Senate contest is headed for a recount starting today, and Georgia will hold a runoff Dec. 2.

Since the Republicans seem to be chomping-at-the-bit to block almost all the progressive proposals Obama sends to Congress, the 60-vote block is all the more important to achieve. Otherwise the Senate will be deadlocked at a time of dire national crises.

The Alaska Senate Race

The latest vote count in the Alaska Senatorial race:

Mark Begich (D) - 125,019

Ted Stevens (R) - 125,016

That's right. A three (3) vote difference.

The recount (manual) goes on.