Meanwhile in Iraq, news of the Democratic victory was met with skepticism on the ground.

Munther Kadhim, a resident of Baghdad: “Whether the Democrats or the Republicans win, America has one policy. It always has imperialistic plans that take priority. So, there is no difference: Democrats or the Republicans, America has one policy.”

In other Iraq news, the government has extended the country’s state of emergency for another month. The state of emergency has been renewed every month since first authorized in November 2004. The move comes as at least 66 Iraqis were killed in violence around the country Wednesday. The Pentagon announced the deaths of two US service members. At least 21 US troops have died over the first eight days of this month.