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Election 2010 wrap-up: GOP sweeps

NOTE: Check out our live blog/open thread from last night, and be sure to leave your thoughts on the election results in the comments!

The 2010 midterm elections are over. The fighting is over, the dust has begun to settle, and America awakes to a country just a little bit different than the one they woke up to yesterday.

The Republicans, riding a wave of resentment about the economy and frustration with the effectiveness of the federal government, took back control of the House of Representatives, and managed to put a serious dent in the Democratic caucus in the Senate. Both caucuses will likely be more polarized — moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans both fared poorly last night — When the new Congress is sworn in in January, the House GOP will likely seek to amend or repeal Obama’s health care law, extend the Bush tax cuts indefinitely, and drastically decrease regulation and taxes on businesses large and small. In the Senate, getting bills past a filibuster will be that much more difficult, so also expect more compromise with Republicans on major legislation.

Left to right: Speaker-elect John Boehner, R-Oh., Governor-elect Tom Corbett, R-Pa., Senator-elect Pat Toomey, R-Pa.

President Obama held a press conference this afternoon, where he delivered his remarks on the results of the midterm elections (VIDEO).

House Minority Leader John Boehner, soon to replace Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House, gave a speech last night that can be considered the Republicans’ victory dance (VIDEO).

Here in Pennsylvania, Republican Tom Corbett won election over Democrat Dan Onorato in the race for governor, 55-45. Here’s video of Corbett’s victory speech and Onorato’s concession speech. Onorato won just four counties across the state, failing to best Corbett even in Allegheny county, for which Onorato is Chief Executive.

The U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania was a lot closer, with the race being described as “too close to call” for most of Tuesday night. Pat Toomey, the Republican candidate, eventually won the day over his Democratic rival Joe Sestak, 51-49. Check out Joe Sestak’s concession speech (VIDEO) and Pat Toomey’s victory speech (VIDEO).

Watch out for tomorrow’s new issue of The Call, which will contain more election results and news.