THE DAY AFTER

An interesting election note: Representative Connie Mack lost his U.S. Senate bid in Florida to Bill Nelson.  But Mack's wife, Mary Bono Mack, also lost her reelection bid to the House.  That's two sizeable salaries lost in one family.  'Course they both have big pensions and probably are both independently wealthy.  A better retirement than mine!

Earlier in the year, Republicans had hoped to take control of the U.S. Senate.  When they nominated Tea Party candidates like Mourdock in Indiana and Akin in Missouri, they doomed that plan.  Instead of gaining control, they lost seats to Democrats.  Donnelly in Indiana, McCaskill in Missouri, as well as Warren in Massachusetts, Tester hanging on in Montana, Heitkamp apparently winning in North Dakota, Klobuchar in Minnesota, Murphy in Connecticut.  When the Democrats are joined by several Independent victors, they're likely to have a 56 to 44 edge in the Senate.

So it was a pretty good day for Democrats.  Of course, here in my state of Arizona, not so good.  Jake Flake defeated Richard Carmona for the Senate, Romney was a large winner of the state and 80 year old "toughest sheriff in the Universe" Joe Arpaio won reelection to a sixth term.

Oh well.  It's over.  Finally.  And the 2016 campaign for President begins today.  Yegods.  I'm still tired from this year's.

But to all of those Republicans, especially Tea Partiers, who were so sure about this year's results, I offer today's Gratuitous Critter picture.