From Jay Leno on the Tonight Show:

Happy birthday to convicted senator of Alaska, Ted Stevens, who turned 85 today.  Turns out he didn’t get any gifts.  Or, at least he didn’t report any…

Alaska Senator Ted Stevens officially conceded the Senate race to Democrat Mark Begich on Wednesday.  Begich is currently mayor of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.

“Given the number of ballots that remain to be counted, it is apparent the election has been decided, and Mayor Begich has been elected,” Stevens said in a news release.  “It was a tough fight that would not have been possible without the help of so many Alaskans — people who I am honored to call my friends.  I wish Mayor Begich and his family well.  My staff and I stand willing to help him prepare for his new position,” Stevens added.

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Alaska Republican Senator Ted Stevens has been convicted on federal corruption charges.  “I am innocent,” the 84-year-old Stevens said in a written statement.  “I will fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have.”

Stevens was convicted of seven counts of making false statements on Senate ethics forms in order to hide hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts and work on his Alaska home by an oil contractor who is currently target of a corruption investigation.

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Recall that famous line from the movie The Matrix: Reloaded:  "What do men with power want?  More power!"

Riding a wave of pessimism against Republicans for a collapsing economy, two wars, and an unpopular Bush administration, the Democrats have added to their power and control in the U.S. Congress.  Although some races are still undecided, Congressional Democrats have gained a strong majority that should enable them to aggressively pursue their political agenda in the coming term.

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