It's (almost) official. The Republicans have taken control of the House of Representatives.

In New Hampshire, Charlie Bass '74 is on track for a narrow victory over Ann Kuster '78 in the 2nd Congressional District. Score one for Dartmouth...but wait! Kelly Ayotte (Penn State '90) has trounced Paul Hodes '72 in the race for Senate. John Lynch (UNH '74...but his daughter Julia is an '11 so that counts as half) will remain governor.

This year's cast of high-profile challengers has met with mixed results tonight. Rand Paul and Marco Rubio have both scored eagerly anticipated wins for the Tea Party movement, but Christine O'Donnell and Carl Paladino have been squarely crushed. And Alvin Greene will be skulking back to his South Carolina tonight wearing an expression we will only vaguely be able to discern as shame.

Still, the overarching theme of tonight's race was hitherto-unknown conservatives unseating grizzled Democratic incumbents, and in a few cases, establishment Republicans. I can only imagine that the conversational impasse in D.C. will deepen as the angry voices of the people echo in the streets of the capital, drowning out any potential for partisan compromise. Let the great stalemate begin.