Tonight on The Cable: Covering the election from a Foreign Policy perspective

As tonight’s election results pour in, we here at The Cable will be giving you on-the-spot news and analysis about what the winners and losers will mean for foreign- and national-security politics in Washington, DC.

Stay with us all night for insight on how the results will affect the New START treaty ratification process in the Senate, the debate over withdrawing from Afghanistan, the Obama team’s drive to expand nuclear cooperation, export controls, military and foreign aid funding, you name it. We’ll also track the promises of the minted senators and congressmen pledging to change things in Washington (so we can hold them to those pledges later on).

Here are some of the key races we’ll be watching closely:

Wisconsin Senate — Russ Feingold (D) vs. Ron Johnson (R) — Only two years ago, Feingold was in the running for Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) chairman, but tonight he is on the verge of being tossed out of the Senate. He carries the Democratic liberal foreign policy banner in the upper house; his departure would mean the end of the torrent of work his office puts out related to Africa, nuclear proliferation, export controls, etc.

California Senate — Barbara Boxer (D) vs. Carly Fiorina (R) — Boxer is the SFRC’s lead on global women’s issues and key legislator on climate change legislation. Fiorina is an Iran hawk and a skeptic of the New START treaty with Russia. Both are strong supporters of Israel, but Fiorina could be more vocal in her support of Israel’s current leadership.

Illinois Senate — Mark Kirk (R) vs. Alexi Giannoulias (D) — Kirk, the long time congressman, would bring a realist and exceptionally well-informed voice to the GOP caucus on all matters relating to foreign policy and national security. His long military experience and record on pushing Iran sanctions would make him an instant force to be reckoned with on such issues. Giannoulias, unlike Kirk, would be a reliable vote for the administration for most national security policies they might want to implement.

Florida Senate — Marco Rubio (R) vs. Charlie Crist (I) vs. Kendrick Meek (D) — This race is important to foreign policy for several reasons. Rubio, the leader in the polls, represents the incoming wave of Tea Party-supported lawmakers and, as one of its leaders, could have sway over how that domestically focused group tackles international issues. Crist, currently running second, hasn’t committed to caucusing with either party and if he wins, his choice could swing the senate.

Nevada Senate — Harry Reid (D) vs. Sharon Angle (R) — If Reid loses, that could have a cascading negative effect on what the Senate might accomplish during the lame duck session. Various promises to move key foreign policy legislation during the lame duck could unravel, including a floor vote on New START and a committee vote on the International Violence against Women’s Act, among others. Angle’s foreign policy views are a mystery.

Pennsylvania Senate — Joe Sestak (D) vs. Pat Toomey (R) — These two candidates couldn’t be have more different world views. Sestak stands to become the most senior former military man in the Senate and could step in as a strong, pragmatic Democratic voice on military reform. Toomey has a much more conservative view and could present problems for the administration’s foreign policy efforts on a number of fronts.

Kentucky Senate — Rand Paul (R) vs. Jack Conway (D) — Paul, who is leading in all polls, could join Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) as the only GOP lawmakers willing to call publicly for looking at the defense budget when trying to cut spending. His calls for drastic downscaling of government also could impact foreign aid spending, State Department funding, you name it. He represents the libertarian wing of the Tea Party in calling for a reduced American role in the world.

Missouri 4^th District — Ike Skelton (D) vs. Vicky Hartzler (R) — Skelton might lose his House Armed Services committee chairmanship anyway, if the GOP takes the House, but if he loses his election, Congress loses a wealth of institutional knowledge and a strong advocate for the military.

Mississippi 4^th District — Gene Taylor (D) vs. Steven Palazzo (R) — Taylor is chairman of the Armed Services Seapower subcommittee and is in a tough fight to save his seat in a decidedly conservative district. His influence on how the Navy should organize itself could leave Washington if he does.

Pennsylvania 8^th District — Patrick Murphy (D) vs. Mike Fitzpatrick (R) — Murphy is not only the first Iraq veteran elected to Congress, he is also the House leader of the drive to repeal the military’s ban on gays serving openly, known as Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. A two-term congressman who beat Fitzpatrick narrowly in 2006, he rose quickly and sits on the appropriations committee. He trails Fitzpatrick in this Philadelphia suburb, which is known for being purple … and is also where your humble Cable guy was born and raised.

Stay tuned, more results and insight coming throughout the night.