Democrats win US House, on brink of Senate power

WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) Democrats swept Republicans from power in the US House of Representatives and moved to the brink of capturing the Senate, where their final victory could be delayed by a possible recount in Virginia.

Democrats rolled up gains of about 30 seats in the House in yesterday's elections, riding to a huge victory on a wave of public discontent with the Iraq war, corruption and Republican President George W Bush's leadership.

In a setback to Bush and Republicans, Democrats picked up four of the six Senate seats they needed for a majority and led in races for the other two, in Montana and Virginia, threatening to take control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in 12 years.

A potential recount and possible legal challenges in Virginia could delay the final result, dredging up memories of the 2000 presidential election recount that lasted five weeks.

Virginia Democrat James Webb had an 8,000-vote advantage over Republican Sen. George Allen out of more than 2 million cast. A recount could stretch into December, leaving Senate control uncertain.

In Montana, Democrat Jon Tester also held a narrow lead on Republican Sen. Conrad Burns, but a final result was not expected until later today.

The narrow governing majorities in Congress, especially the Senate, were almost certain to spawn more partisan gridlock and political warfare during Bush's final two years in the White House.

Bush scheduled a news conference for 23:30 hrs to discuss the results.

Democratic control of the House will make outspoken liberal Rep.

Nancy Pelosi the first female speaker and could slam the brakes on much of Bush's agenda and increase pressure for a change of course in Iraq.

''Tonight is a great victory for the American people,'' Pelosi told a Democratic rally on Capitol Hill. ''Today the American people voted for change, and they voted for Democrats to take our country in a new direction.'' All 435 House seats, 33 of the 100 Senate seats and 36 of the 50 governorships were at stake. Democrats beat Republican Sen Rick Santorum, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate and one of the Democrats' biggest targets this year.

Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, running as an independent, beat Democratic anti-war challenger Ned Lamont, who had defeated the former vice presidential nominee in the Democratic primary.

Democratic Sen Hillary Rodham Clinton sailed to an easy re-election win in New York, setting up a likely 2008 presidential run.

''This is a wake-up call to the Republican Party,'' said Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona on CNN.

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