The projected make-up of the United States Senate after yesterday’s elections is:

• Democrats – 56 seats
• Republicans – 42 seats (Georgia will possibly be going to a run-off election subsequent to posting of graphic)
• Two seats (Oregon, Minnesota) could swing to either side (currently the GOP is winning both seats)

The number 41 is the important one for the GOP. 41 votes gives them a filibuster so they can stop especially heinous legislation.

However, there is talk that President Obama could offer administration positions to moderate GOP Senators, Arlene Specter, R-PA or yesterday re-elected Susan Collins, R-Maine. Democrat Governors in those states would appoint a Democrat replacement Senator and swing the balance toward the democrats.

44 Senate seats is a much better number for the GOP and then there is the question of independent Senator Joe Lieberman, but that is another post.

For now, Democrats have picked up five Senate seats but he Democrats fell several votes short of the 60-vote filibuster-proof Senate that they were seeking and also failed to get rid of a key Senate target: Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky:

• Colorado
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Virginia

Stay tuned as vote counting continues.