If three Republican Senate candidates lost — because of better-than-expected Democratic turnout, last-minute shifts in the race, or dumb luck — Republicans would come up just short of a majority.

Republicans may be forced to confront runoffs in key states that could expose conservative-vs.-establishment rifts and allow relatively tiny numbers of voters to pick the nominees.

The end of the interminable U.S. Senate race between Democrat Al Franken and outgoing GOP incumbent Norm Coleman catches at least one prominent Republican in a foul mood.

The end of the interminable U.S. Senate race between Democrat Al Franken and outgoing GOP incumbent Norm Coleman catches at least one prominent Republican in a foul mood.