GOP officials: Rumsfeld stepping down  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, architect of an unpopular war in Iraq, intends to resign after six stormy years at the Pentagon, Republican officials said Wednesday.  —  Officials said Robert Gates, former head of the CIA, would replace Rumsfeld.

Democrats take control of the Senate  —  WASHINGTON - Democrats wrested control of the Senate from Republicans Wednesday with an upset victory in Virginia, giving the party complete domination of Capitol Hill for the first time since 1994.  —  Jim Webb's squeaker win over incumbent Sen. George Allen …

South Dakotans Reject Sweeping Abortion Ban  —  Voters in South Dakota yesterday rejected the most sweeping abortion ban proposed in the nation in more than a decade, turning back an effort by the ban's authors to set up a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 United States Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal.

U.N. Celebrates Republican Loss?  —  From the desk of Kofi Annan's spokesman: … Why is the U.N. commenting on member state elections?  We're told that this isn't normally done.  So why is the Republican loss worthy?  It's almost celebratory.  Does the U.N. think they'll get more support now?

Best of the Web  —  Always Look on the Bright Side of Life  —  This column is scrupulously nonpartisan, but we will bend the rules for a moment and acknowledge that last night's outcome was not what we were hoping for.  As of now, the Democrats have picked up 28 House seats, giving them at least 228 (a majority is 218).

I Feel Liberated  —  RUSH: Just to reiterate, ladies and gentlemen: "It's going to get worse before it gets better."  I'm not trying to be negative.  I'm trying to prepare you here for what is coming.  It is obvious from the president's press conference that his view is …