Back in the United States, Democratic challenger Mark Begich has taken what some are calling a commanding lead over incumbent Republican Ted Stevens in the ongoing tallying of the Alaska Senate race. The latest count has Begich leading Stevens by 814 votes. Another 40,000 votes are set to be counted over the next week, with most coming from Democratic-leaning districts. Stevens was convicted just a week before the election on corruption charges. A Begich win would give Democrats control of fifty-eight Senate seats, two short of a filibuster-proof majority. The outcome of Senate races in Minnesota and Atlanta are still to be decided.