Uh, January.
But the brainless among us truly believe that when new radical fatcats and the mamma grizzlies take over, on November 3, 2010, the sun will shine down on all, everyone will be promised a good job, and money will be flowing again just in time for Christmas!
Some races present the possibility of the GOP making gains almost immediately, with the winners (of whatever party) sworn in soon after the election.
The reason is simple: These are special elections, with current incumbent members who were appointed to fill vacancies. (Only one sitting member in these seats, Dem Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, is seeking election -- the others are open seats). Just as the upset win of Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) in this past January's special election enabled the GOP to immediately improve from 40 seats to 41 -- and change the entire dynamic of the Senate -- any additional GOP members from a few key states could immediately strengthen the GOP for the lame duck session between the election and January.
Indeed, at least two candidates, Republican Mark Kirk of Illinois and Republican Christine O'Donnell of Delaware, have expressly campaigned on the prospect of taking office immediately.
