How sweet this victory must be for Peter Welch, the end of a long comeback trail. He was a state Senate star in the 80s, then lost a bid for the governorship in 1990 when former Gov. Richard Snelling unexpectedly came out of retirement.

Welch disappeared from the political scene until he was appointed to the state Senate by Gov. Howard Dean, service made difficult and bittersweet by the long illness of his wife, Joan, who died last year.

Welch spoke moments ago at Democratic headquarters. He beganby congratulating his opponent, Martha Rainville, for a positive, issue-oriented campaign. "Vermont is setting a standard for how debates should occur on very tough issues," he said.

Welch seemed relaxed and very, very happy, of course. He cracked jokes, thanked legions of people and said, "I got a call -- I'm starting to get calls, you know -- from Barack Obama" the Illinois senator. Welch said he recommended his campaign manager, Carolyn Dwyer, to Obama if he runs for president.

"When we started this campaign 16 months ago, I saw indifference and despair," he said. "People knew the country was heading in the wrong direction and they doubted whether we could turn it in the right direction," he said.

He urged his supporters, "Whatever the obstacles and challenges we've got to get up every morning and meet them squarely, without knowing the outcome."

-- Candace Page