This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8466995.stm

The article has changed 34 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Obama's party slumps to poll loss Obama's party slumps to poll loss
(30 minutes later)
Republican Scott Brown has won a shock victory in the race for the US Senate seat in Massachusetts left vacant by Democrat Edward Kennedy's death.Republican Scott Brown has won a shock victory in the race for the US Senate seat in Massachusetts left vacant by Democrat Edward Kennedy's death.
The result is a huge blow to President Barack Obama, whose healthcare reform programme is now in doubt.The result is a huge blow to President Barack Obama, whose healthcare reform programme is now in doubt.
Democrat Martha Coakley conceded she had lost the race after partial results gave Mr Brown a healthy lead. Democrat Martha Coakley conceded she had lost the race after early results gave Mr Brown a healthy lead.
The Republican win has robbed the Democrats of their filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate.The Republican win has robbed the Democrats of their filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate.
This will make it much harder for Mr Obama to pass a healthcare reform bill - the most important domestic policy objective of his first year as president.This will make it much harder for Mr Obama to pass a healthcare reform bill - the most important domestic policy objective of his first year as president.
It was all of us against the machine Scott Brown Your comments on the result It was all of us against the machine, and tonight you've shown that you are the machine Scott Brown Your comments on the result
The BBC's Paul Adams, in Boston, says Ms Coakley's defeat is a humiliating blow for the Democrats and their agenda, and a deeply unwelcome anniversary present for President Obama one year after his inauguration. The BBC's Paul Adams, in Boston, says Ms Coakley's defeat is a humiliating blow for the Democrats and their agenda, and a deeply unwelcome anniversary present for President Obama a year after his inauguration.
He adds that it is one the biggest political upsets in years, and a devastating blow for the Democrats in a seat held for almost half a century by Edward Kennedy, a colossus of the party.He adds that it is one the biggest political upsets in years, and a devastating blow for the Democrats in a seat held for almost half a century by Edward Kennedy, a colossus of the party.
In a celebratory speech, Mr Brown said that the voters of Massachusetts "defied the odds" and "delivered a great victory". In a celebratory speech, Mr Brown said that the voters of Massachusetts had "defied the odds" and "delivered a great victory".
"It was all of us against the machine," he said. "It was all of us against the machine. And tonight you've shown that you are the machine," he said.
FILIBUSTERING A method used to delay approval of laws by prolonging debateMay include large numbers of amendments, spurious points of order and very long speechesIf the session runs out of time, motions cannot be voted onFILIBUSTERING A method used to delay approval of laws by prolonging debateMay include large numbers of amendments, spurious points of order and very long speechesIf the session runs out of time, motions cannot be voted on
Speaking to her supporters after conceding the election in a telephone call to Mr Brown, Ms Coakley admitted that she was "heartbroken at the result".Speaking to her supporters after conceding the election in a telephone call to Mr Brown, Ms Coakley admitted that she was "heartbroken at the result".
"You poured your hearts and souls into the campaign. I will not forget the fierce determination with which we approached this," she said."You poured your hearts and souls into the campaign. I will not forget the fierce determination with which we approached this," she said.
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said he would welcome Mr Brown to the Senate.
He added that senators "will move to seat him as soon as the proper paperwork has been received" from Massachusetts officials.
Lacklustre campaignLacklustre campaign
Analysts say the race should have been an easy win for Ms Coakley in a state which traditionally has voted for Democratic candidates for the US Senate.Analysts say the race should have been an easy win for Ms Coakley in a state which traditionally has voted for Democratic candidates for the US Senate.
But a lacklustre campaign allowed her Republican opponent - with vigorous support from conservative activists - to wrest the seat from her party.But a lacklustre campaign allowed her Republican opponent - with vigorous support from conservative activists - to wrest the seat from her party.
Ms Coakley said she had received a telephone call from President Obama, who had told her: "We can't win them all."Ms Coakley said she had received a telephone call from President Obama, who had told her: "We can't win them all."
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said President Obama had called Mr Brown to congratulate him and to tell him he was looking forward to working with him.White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said President Obama had called Mr Brown to congratulate him and to tell him he was looking forward to working with him.
Analysts say that with opinion polls showing that nearly half of all Americans think President Obama is not delivering on his major campaign promises, the Massachusetts race could be seen as a referendum on his first year in office.Analysts say that with opinion polls showing that nearly half of all Americans think President Obama is not delivering on his major campaign promises, the Massachusetts race could be seen as a referendum on his first year in office.