Democrats win control of Senate, AP reports

[Burnsinternet]

From CNN:

A Democratic takeover of the Senate is appearing likely after an ongoing canvass of votes in Virginia produced no significant changes in the outcome of the hard-fought race led by Democratic challenger Jim Webb, sources told CNN Wednesday.

Wednesday night, with Webb leading Republican Sen. George Allen by about 7,200 votes and the canvass about half complete, The Associated Press declared Webb the winner....

Meanwhile, a Webb aide told CNN that he plans a formal news conference Thursday morning to declare victory.

A victory by Webb would put the new Senate lineup at 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and two independents -- Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut -- who have said they would caucus with the Democrats.

That would give the Democrats the 51 votes they need to claim a majority for the first time since 2002.

A source close to Allen told CNN that the initial state review will be finished Thursday, because it is "wrapping up sooner rather than later" with very little dent in Webb's lead.

While stopping just short of saying Allen will concede, the source said it is a "daunting proposition" for the senator to overcome Webb's lead