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Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton of New York (R) joins hands with New York Governor Elect Eliot Spitzer (C) and New York Attorney General Elect Andrew Cuomo (L) (Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY November 08, 2006 —For the first time in more than 60 years, Democrats hold all of the statewide offices in New York. Last night they won not only the governorship but also Attorney General and Comptroller. And voters re-elected Senator Hillary Clinton, who joins her fellow New York Senator Charles Schumer back in Washington. As WNYC’s Beth Fertig reports, Democrats had a night to celebrate while Republicans could only wonder what went wrong.

Elliot Spitzer campaigned as the candidate of reform. Last night, as Democrats savored his victory at a party in the midtown Sheraton, the newly elected Governor promised that change was much more than a slogan. He said it’s a compact with the voters.

SPITZER: This New York compact accepts as a given that now is our time to build a government that exists not for the benefit of those who hold an office, but for those who pay the bills. A government that is finally open and accountable.

Spitzer called for an end to the bickering and partisanship in Albany. This was the night of gracious winners… even if they couldn’t resist a few digs at the Republicans. When Senator Hillary Clinton took the stage, she got a rousing applause for saying the Bush Administration would not move full steam ahead following the election, as Vice President Cheney had claimed.

CLINTON: You know the message couldn’t be clearer, that it is time for a new course beyond all the partisan ideological divide and we must go back to the vital, dynamic center to solve the problems of New Yorkers and Americans.

The star power at the top of the Democratic ticket was clearly a factor in the party’s success. Clinton and Spitzer are both enormously popular, and they won by huge margins. But Democrats also took three House seats from the Republicans. These include seats held by Westchester incumbent Sue Kelly and John Sweeney of central New York, as well as an open seat that was previously held by a Republican. Political analysts say New York Democrats got a boost from the President’s problems: notably in Iraq. Jeffrey Pollack was a consultant to the Spitzer campaign.

POLLACK: This was a national referendum on George Bush and Iraq. The fact is the voters in this country don’t agree on the course of action we’re taking in Iraq and frankly don’t agree with this President.

The war was enough of an issue to cause even some avid Republicans to cross party lines. Boniface Ramsey is a priest in Staten Island. He says he voted twice for President Bush and even though he describes himself as staunchly against abortion he says he voted for Democrats.

RAMSEY: The current situation seems to me to overwhelm some of the other issues, the situation in Iraq and the response to terrorism with its various ramifications decided me to vote mostly the Democratic ticket not exclusively.

Republicans agreed national issues played a big factor in the New York races. They also said they were outgunned by big name Democrats with vast financial resources. But they did fault their own leadership for not providing enough resources. At the Albany hotel where Republicans gathered to watch the returns, Governor Pataki and the Republican State Senate leader were BOTH notably absent. Several people griped that Pataki had been spending more time in Iowa and New Hampshire stoking his presidential ambitions than campaigning in his own state. Conservative Party chairman Michael Long said the candidates for Governor, Senate, Attorney General and Comptroller all could have used a hand.

LONG: I’m disappointed that the governor wasn’t more proacative for, for Faso, for Spencer, Pirro and Callaghan. This had to start back in June, not the last few days.

In the days ahead, Conservatives and Republicans will find plenty of time for analysis. They’ll also have to look for new candidates and issues that can connect with the voters. But last night belonged to the Democrats… and especially the new governor, Elliot Spitzer.

SPITZER: Tonight we celebrate a happy ending to this campaign. But tomorrow, when we wake up, it will be time to seize the future, to start anew, and to walk together towards a hopeful beginning for the state of NY. Are you ready to take that walk?

The crowd was with him - and so, it appears, was the state. At least for now. For WNYC I’m Beth Fertig.