The biggest Republican victory this week was in fact that of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, whose considerable tactical skills will now be in even greater demand. Democrats have a healthy fear of Mr. McConnell’s abilities, one reason Chuck Schumer chose to divert $6 million into the long-shot Kentucky race, rather than keep it in say, Minnesota, where his boy Al Franken is now losing…

Then again, the minority leader has several things going for him. Congressional Democrats will overreach, as they are already doing. (House liberal Henry Waxman is moving to unseat fellow House liberal John Dingell — who he doesn’t find liberal enough — from the Energy and Commerce committee.) This means tension with a President Obama, who may not be so eager to throw out his “bipartisan” image on Day One. Republicans can sit back to watch that fight.

Democrats also can’t depend on President Bush to save them from themselves. All but one of Mr. Reid’s 51 caucus members voted last year to proceed with legislation eliminating union secret ballots, and all 50 knew it would never become law. Mr. McConnell has his own list of vulnerable Democrats who he — with the help of the business community — will remind of the electoral consequences of enacting a measure hated by 80% of the country, according to polls. Maybe Nebraska’s Bill Nelson, who hails from a right-to-work state, will vote to allow his constituents to be bullied by union thugs. Or, when it comes down to it, maybe not.