It's Perriello, Finally, In VA-05

You can finally put the 2008 House election to bed. After a recount that ended today, officials in the Charlottesville-based VA-05 declared atty Tom Perriello (D) the winner over Rep. Virgil Goode (R). That result had been widely expected, as recounts in VA have historically yielded just minor changes.

Indeed, going into the recount, Perriello maintained a 745-vote lead. Final results show Perriello with a 727-vote win, meaning Goode picked up just 18 votes in the recount.

Perriello's victory means Dems gained a total of 21 seats this cycle, and with no other '08 House races outstanding, it's time to close the book on the cycle.

(TIM SAHD)