Democrats take firmer control of Senate

— -- Democrats significantly expanded their hold on the U.S. Senate Tuesday, putting them in stronger position to help deliver on President-elect Barack Obama's campaign promises.

They appeared to fall short, though, of the magic 60-vote majority needed to pass bills without Republican support.

Democrats picked up Republican-held seats in Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Colorado — and they were leading in Oregon and running even in Minnesota. The only Democratic incumbent thought to be in danger, Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, escaped defeat.

And Democrats had hopes of unseating Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, who was convicted of lying on his financial disclosure statements.

But Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky fended off a tough challenge, as did Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia.

That meant that if everything broke the Democrats' way, the party would pick up eight seats, a tally that would bring them to 58 or 59 votes, depending on their relationship with Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, an independent who endorsed Republican John McCain for president.

Democrats, who won control of the Senate after the 2006 elections, held a pre-election 51-49 voting majority, including Lieberman.

Whatever the final number, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada told USA TODAY that the Senate will become a different place.

"It's a lot easier to get two, three or four (Republicans) than it is to get nine. … I feel very good about it," Reid said as the returns started to come in. "We have the two Maine (Republican) senators who are moderates. … We're gonna be fine."

He called the outcome "a victory for the American people. It's about stopping the fighting and partisan battles."

Incumbents fall

With 35 seats up for grabs on a night that promised to reshape the U.S. Senate, Democrats rode a wave of voter discontent with the economy, the Iraq war and President Bush.

Republicans who once were considered solid bets for re-election found themselves in tougher-than-expected contests, and some lost.