Even worse for the Democrats, Beyer's attacks on abortion and Pat Robertson have mobilized social issue conservatives, who initially seemed less than enthused about Gilmore.

CNN: Car-Tax Issue Lifts Gilmore In Virginia

However, Mr Cameron accepted that on the issue of the investigation into Pat Finucane's death he and the Taoiseach had different views.

BBC: PM and Taoiseach meet in London

Pat Caddell is right that the Republican failure during the campaign to frame the national security issue properly - including the horrifying prospect of a Hastings chairmanship of the Intelligence Committee - is substantially responsible for the fact that there will be an acute lack of security-minded leadership in the 110th Congress.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The way ahead