Republicans in roll back vow
Source: Agencies |
November 5, 2010, Friday
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UNITED States President Barack Obama faced America's new political order with a call for compromise, following what he described as a Democratic "shellacking" in US elections.
But there were already signs of political battles ahead.
Republicans, fresh from capturing the House of Representatives on Tuesday, claimed a mandate to shrink the size of government and roll back Obama's health care overhaul.
"Change course we will," said Republican House leader John Boehner, likely the chamber's next speaker.
Obama, appearing somber at a news conference, took responsibility for the weak economic recovery, the central issue in Tuesday's elections. But he offered few regrets about his policies and suggested he would cooperate with Republicans when possible and confront them when not.
"No one party will be able to dictate where we go from here," he said.
By winning the House and making gains in the Senate, Republicans can block Obama's agenda in the final two years of his term, reshaping America's political climate in the run-up to the 2012 presidential election.
Tuesday's vote marked a stunning change from 2008, when Obama's popularity helped Democrats expand their majorities in both chambers of Congress. This time, candidates who backed his economic stimulus and health policies were most vulnerable.
Obama took responsibility for not doing enough to alter the ways of Washington, whether its hyper-partisanship or back-room dealing. "We were in such a hurry to get things done that we didn't change how things were done," he admitted.
He suggested new areas of cooperating, including taxes and energy policy. Obama virtually abandoned his climate change legislation that featured economic incentives to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, vehicles and other sources.
Boehner said the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives brings "a new majority" to Congress with a mandate to listen to the people. It's "time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work," he said. Boehner said the Republicans will push to cut spending and create jobs.
Still, the Democrats are likely to stand and fight in Congress. They still control the Senate, the upper legislative chamber, with at least 52 seats. Also, Obama still holds his veto power, and the Republicans do not have enough numbers to override it.
Incomplete returns showed the Republican Party picked up at least 60 House seats and led for four more, far in excess of what was needed for a majority. About two dozen races remained too close to call. All 435 seats in the House were on Tuesday's ballot, plus 37 in the Senate.
But there were already signs of political battles ahead.
Republicans, fresh from capturing the House of Representatives on Tuesday, claimed a mandate to shrink the size of government and roll back Obama's health care overhaul.
"Change course we will," said Republican House leader John Boehner, likely the chamber's next speaker.
Obama, appearing somber at a news conference, took responsibility for the weak economic recovery, the central issue in Tuesday's elections. But he offered few regrets about his policies and suggested he would cooperate with Republicans when possible and confront them when not.
"No one party will be able to dictate where we go from here," he said.
By winning the House and making gains in the Senate, Republicans can block Obama's agenda in the final two years of his term, reshaping America's political climate in the run-up to the 2012 presidential election.
Tuesday's vote marked a stunning change from 2008, when Obama's popularity helped Democrats expand their majorities in both chambers of Congress. This time, candidates who backed his economic stimulus and health policies were most vulnerable.
Obama took responsibility for not doing enough to alter the ways of Washington, whether its hyper-partisanship or back-room dealing. "We were in such a hurry to get things done that we didn't change how things were done," he admitted.
He suggested new areas of cooperating, including taxes and energy policy. Obama virtually abandoned his climate change legislation that featured economic incentives to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, vehicles and other sources.
Boehner said the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives brings "a new majority" to Congress with a mandate to listen to the people. It's "time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work," he said. Boehner said the Republicans will push to cut spending and create jobs.
Still, the Democrats are likely to stand and fight in Congress. They still control the Senate, the upper legislative chamber, with at least 52 seats. Also, Obama still holds his veto power, and the Republicans do not have enough numbers to override it.
Incomplete returns showed the Republican Party picked up at least 60 House seats and led for four more, far in excess of what was needed for a majority. About two dozen races remained too close to call. All 435 seats in the House were on Tuesday's ballot, plus 37 in the Senate.
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