A Sea Change

Democratic wins spur student celebrations, experts temper hopes
By James Hohmann
NEWS| In rooms and lounges around campus, left-leaning students ushered in the Democratic victory with a celebration befitting New Years. In the Slavinskii Dom row house, a contingent of loyal Democrats shotgunned cheap beers after the networks declared Democrats victorious in their quest to take the House. “There’s a lot to be excited about,” said Bobby Lepore, the president of the Stanford Democrats.

Parental notice measure fails

By James Hohmann
NEWS| California voters rejected the measure, which would have required a doctor to notify parents or guardians of minors seeking an abortion, by an almost 10-point margin.

A Schwarzenegger sequel

By Associated Press
NEWS| In a year when Republicans struggled nationwide, Schwarzenegger avoided the same fate by positioning himself as an “Arnold Republican” — a bipartisan dealmaker with strained ties to the Bush White House. The actor-governor was also blessed with a lusterless opponent who failed to energize his own party, even in a state known as a Democratic stronghold.

Web-only content: Prop 87, most expensive campaign in state history, fails under heavy opposition from Big Oil

By James Hohmann
NEWS| The costliest ballot initiative campaign in state history culminated yesterday in the defeat of Proposition 87, which would have imposed a tax on oil production in California to raise $4 billion to promote alternative fuels and energy-efficient vehicles.

Dems plan for a new direction

By Associated Press
NEWS| “Mr.

Election Briefs

By Associated Press
NEWS| Democrats reclaimed governors’ offices Tuesday from the Northeast to the Rockies and even in the South, giving them a majority for the first time in 12 years and an edge in places critical to the 2008 White House race.