This just in from CNN:

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down, sources tell CNN.

No doubt pressured by yesterday’s dramatic swing in the balance of power, sources have told CNN that embattled Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, will resign. Fox News also confirmed the report but said Rumsfeld gave no prior indication or reason for his departure. The Fox article said Eric Ruff, the Pentagon press secretary, met with the Secretary today and was given no indication of his intentions.

Rumsfeld has been the target of many anti-war critics who attributed many of the perceived problems with the war in Iraq to his leadership. Boston.com referred to him as “one of the architects of the increasingly unpopular Iraq war.”

MSNBC reported Robert Gates, former CIA director, will take Rumsfeld’s place upon his departure.

Rumsfeld’s image problems have been going on for some time now, and he has not been able to portray himself in the light desired by the veteran Republican. He was an easy target for Democrats and anti-war candidates. When the bullseye was painted on his head, everything from Abu Ghraib to his usage of a mechanical means to sign over 1,000 condolence letters to families of killed soldiers, contributed to his downfall.

President Bush had previously said Rumsfeld would serve out his term regardless of what happened on election day.

It may not have been completely his choice, but it was Rumsfeld’s time to go.

All of a sudden, there is a real chance for the Democrats to takeover the senate.

As of 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Democrats need three more seats for a majority control.

In Missouri, Claire McCaskill came back from the (almost) dead to take the lead over incumbent Republican Jim Talent. CNN has the Democrat up 49 percent to 48 percent.

In Montana, Jon Tester has held the lead over Conrad Burns since the first returns came in. You may remember Senator Burns from his of off-the-cuff remarks about Hispanics, Middle Easterners, Asians and fire fighters.

And the third, and most exciting race so far, Virginia. Republican sailor turned Democratic Senate contender, James Webb, holds a lead over Senator George Allen that is so small, that if I were a Virginian and voted, I might have tipped the balance.

Elsewhere, Herald Ford does appear to have lost his bid in Tennessee.

The night is over and these three races remain undecided. Democrats have to win all three to take over.

Joseph Lieberman will in all likelihood caucus with his old party, and Bernard Sanders, an independent from Vermont, has already said he would work with the Democrats.

And if you’re in Connecticut’s 5th District with Representative Elect Murphy, remember, you heard it here first when PRrag.com declared this district “in play” in June.