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Bush drive to heal partisan split Bush drive to heal partisan split
(about 1 hour later)
US President George W Bush has appealed to members of the US Congress to rise above party differences, after heavy Republican losses in mid-term polls.US President George W Bush has appealed to members of the US Congress to rise above party differences, after heavy Republican losses in mid-term polls.
"It is our responsibility to put the elections behind us and work together" on the issues facing the US, he said."It is our responsibility to put the elections behind us and work together" on the issues facing the US, he said.
He was to have lunch with key Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who has pledged to work with "partnership, not partisanship".He was to have lunch with key Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who has pledged to work with "partnership, not partisanship".
The Democrats, who seized the House of Representatives, are expected to take the seat needed for a Senate majority.The Democrats, who seized the House of Representatives, are expected to take the seat needed for a Senate majority.
Mr Bush said he was open to "ideas and suggestions" about how the US could achieve its goals in Iraq. "I'm open to any idea or suggestion that will help us achieve our goals of defeating the terrorists and ensuring that Iraq's democratic government succeeds," Mr Bush said, surrounded by cabinet members after a meeting with them.
He said American politicians had a responsibility to ensure that US troops there had the resources needed to prevail. href="/1/hi/world/americas/6130302.stm" class="">Profile: Robert Gates href="/1/hi/world/americas/6131066.stm" class="">Press reacts to departure href="/1/hi/world/americas/6131646.stm" class="">Rumsfeld: World reaction He said American politicians had a responsibility to ensure that US troops in Iraq had the resources needed to prevail.
Senate balance
Republican defeat in the mid-term polls has been blamed on the Iraq war, and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, a key architect, has resigned.Republican defeat in the mid-term polls has been blamed on the Iraq war, and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, a key architect, has resigned.
President George W Bush has named former CIA director Robert Gates as his new defence chief.President George W Bush has named former CIA director Robert Gates as his new defence chief.
Ms Pelosi, who is set to become the speaker in the House of Representatives, has said the Democrats will work with "civility" with the Republicans.
But she has also called for a change of policy in Iraq: "We cannot continue down this catastrophic path," she said as the Democrat gains from Tuesday's polls became clear.
Senate balance
The president said the Republicans had taken a "thumping" in Tuesday's vote, in which the Democrats gained control of the House for the first time in 12 years.The president said the Republicans had taken a "thumping" in Tuesday's vote, in which the Democrats gained control of the House for the first time in 12 years.
In the final outstanding Senate race, the Associated Press news agency has declared Democrat Jim Webb victor in Virginia by 7,236 votes over Republican incumbent George Allen. Official results have yet to confirm a win. US SENATE href="/1/hi/world/americas/6127480.stm" class="">At-a-glance: Mid-term gains The Senate race now hangs on one seat in Virginia. A Democrat win there would leave both parties with 49 seats each.
Mr Allen's aides were quoted as saying he did not want to drag out the process and was likely to make a decision in the coming hours. Two independents have said they will vote with the Democrats, which would give the party the 51 votes they need to claim a majority for the first time since 2002.
A win for Mr Webb would give the Democrats the six seats needed for a majority. The Associated Press has declared Democrat Jim Webb victor in Virginia by 7,236 votes over Republican incumbent George Allen.
Official results have yet to confirm a win and Mr Allen has not conceded, although he is to make an announcement at 2000 GMT (1500 local time).
He would have the option to demand a recount if the margin from official results was less than half a percentage point.
HAVE YOUR SAY I think Rumsfeld should have stepped down a long time ago Cample, New York Send us your comments But his aides were quoted as saying he did not want to drag out the process and was likely to make a decision in the coming hours.
AP called the race for the Democrats after contacting election officials in the state's 134 localities for updated figures.
Correspondents say the call reflects the general view that the margin of victory in Virginia is large enough to make it virtually impossible for any recount to change the outcome.
Control of the Senate and its committees would give Democrats the right to hold hearings and approve presidential appointments, including those to the Supreme Court.Control of the Senate and its committees would give Democrats the right to hold hearings and approve presidential appointments, including those to the Supreme Court.