Karl Rove, it appears, is mortal after all. Ever since the Bush-Rove partnership surprised the American political world by conquering the Texas governorship in 1994, his name has evoked dread in every Democratic heart. Even safe Democratic seats seemed in danger when Mr Rove came to town.
"Just because you lose one ballgame, you don't lose your genius," the former House majority leader, Tom DeLay argued today. But it is clear Mr Rove has lost more than just an election. His plan to build a permanent majority by solidifying the Republican base and wooing social conservatives among Hispanics and black people, lies in ruins. Hispanics voted Democrat by a margin of almost three to one. And stirring up the culture war with contests over abortion, stem cell research and gay marriage, may still have helped win a few seats, but the constant polarising of American politics ultimately alienated centrists, whose importance Mr Rove had scorned in his focus on mobilising hardliners.
Independents voted 60% for Democrats yesterday. Paul Begala, a Democratic consultant noted that Mr Rove had overseen the decline in the president's popularity from over 90% to under 40%, and the erosion of the solid congressional majority established by Republicans in 1994.
"So where's the genius, Karl," Mr Begala asked.