Here are my random observations from a night and morning of watching results – a refreshing change, I might add, from sitting in an election headquarters with a candidate:

We’re out of Iraq.

Maybe Dick Cheney won’t get it, but I bet George Bush does. Not since Carter lost over Iran in 1980 have the American people delivered a clearer verdict on a foreign policy failure. Bush now looks to Uncle Jim Baker to save him from Iraq the same way Baker saved him in Florida in 2000.

Hang Osama

Bush/Rove thought Republicans would gain from Saddam’s sentence. But it just reminded Americans that we went after the wrong target. When you’re attacked by terrorists, kill the terrorists, not another bad guy down the street.

Bill Clinton looms over Hillary

It was a striking visual metaphor: Hillary giving her victory speech while Bill towered over her from behind. It will be that way from now on. And they obviously think it helps.

Yes, she’s electable

Stop saying that she – or any other Democrat – can’t be elected President. All they need is every state John Kerry (remember him?) won – plus Ohio. And that looks good today.

Iowa is 14 months away

My bet right now: It’s a Hillary-John Edwards race. And Edwards wins.

Democrats go right

Democrats win a majority in the House – and maybe Senate – because Rahm Emanual and Chuck Shumer were smart enough to recruit candidates not like them, like Bob Casey and Heath Shuler. That’s why Democrats not only held the Northeast, but won in the South, Midwest and West. We’re the national party now.

Republicans need to go left

The GOP lost everywhere but the South. Ideologues lost: Russell Capps and Phil Jeffreys in Wake County. Rick Santorum and J.D. Hayworth nationally. Moderates won. Charlie Crist won in Florida after snubbing Bush the last day of the campaign. But will the Right let it happen?

Rick Santorum’s Class

Former Senator Bob Kerrey once said that “Santorum” is the Latin word for “asshole.” But Santorum’s concession speech last night was one of the most gracious and graceful I’ve ever seen.

Liddy Dole at Risk

She may not be to blame for Republican losses. But she was awful on television. Shrill and clueless at the same time. North Carolinians haven’t seen that side of her. Her charmed political life may be doomed. My bet: Governor Easley runs against her in 2006. And wins.

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