OK, OK

I was wrong, again. Even to these jaded, pessimistic eyes this has been a victory in the war to regain some semblance of sanity in this country. There is still a long way to go.
The inability of the administration to hide the catastrophe in Iraq was the decisive factor, I believe. For that, some measure of credit should go to the left-blogosphere. The relentless accumulation of facts undermined the media's head in the sand approach, and the repudiation of the Iraq war is net. Rumsfeld's departure, even though he'll be succeeded by the toady Gates, represents the administration has acknowledged their failure, and that is a first.
For a great rundown of the post-election possibilities be sure to read Tom Engelhardt's take. As he asks:

What Will Happen When the Commander-in-Chief Presidency and the Unitary Executive Theory Meets What's Left of the Republic?

That is the question that will determine if the 2006 election was really a victory, or just a meaningless sideshow. If Bush's assertion of imperial power is not checked by this Congress, then this will have been a meaningless exercise for the people to show off their discontent. If Congress does fight back, the struggle will be indeed the "Mother of All Constitutional Crises" as Tom says. I've stocked up on popcorn, let the show begin.

UPDATE: Madame Olivia called and was most ungracious in rejecting my job application. Calling me a seer who needs bifocals was unnecessary. I already wear them.