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Republican leader McConnell: We must work together US mid-terms: Result a 'direct rejection' of Obama
(about 2 hours later)
The presumptive Republican leader of the US Senate has vowed to "work together" with President Barack Obama on issues where they can agree. The chairman of the Republican National Committee has called resounding Republican mid-term victories a "direct rejection of the Obama agenda".
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said working within a two-party political system did not mean "we have to live in perpetual conflict". "[Americans] want nothing to do with the policies of Barack Obama," Reince Priebus told reporters on Wednesday.
Mr McConnell and a host of Republicans swept to victory in the Senate, and now control both chambers of Congress. Republicans made historic gains, winning control of both chambers of Congress, because their policies resonated with the electorate, he said.
Mr Obama will respond later to what was a terrible result for Democrats.Mr Obama will respond later to what was a terrible result for Democrats.
"This was all about a direct rejection of the Obama agenda," said Mr Priebus.
The president said very clearly that his policies were on the ballot and voters were very clear in return, he added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to "work together" with Mr Obama on issues where they can agree.
Working within a two-party political system did not mean "we have to live in perpetual conflict", he added.
As the new Senate majority leader when the new Congress sits in January, Mr McConnell will control the chamber's legislative agenda and floor proceedings.As the new Senate majority leader when the new Congress sits in January, Mr McConnell will control the chamber's legislative agenda and floor proceedings.
He has been a fierce critic of the president's healthcare overhaul and once vowed to block Mr Obama at every turn. But in the glow of victory, he hinted at compromise.He has been a fierce critic of the president's healthcare overhaul and once vowed to block Mr Obama at every turn. But in the glow of victory, he hinted at compromise.
"Tonight we begin another [race]... the race to turn this country around, to restore hope and confidence and optimism to this commonwealth and across this nation," Mr McConnell said on Tuesday evening."Tonight we begin another [race]... the race to turn this country around, to restore hope and confidence and optimism to this commonwealth and across this nation," Mr McConnell said on Tuesday evening.
"Too many in Washington have forgotten that their job is to serve," he added. "We do have an obligation to work together on issues where we can agree.""Too many in Washington have forgotten that their job is to serve," he added. "We do have an obligation to work together on issues where we can agree."
Analysis, Jon Sopel, BBC North America editorAnalysis, Jon Sopel, BBC North America editor
Barack Obama's unpopularity in the run-up to these mid-term elections is hard to exaggerate. One of the things that is lost in the big picture of the night is some of the sidebar poll findings - the American people are fed up with all their politicians. It's not just the occupant of the White House, though as Harry Truman most famously noted, the buck stops with the president.Barack Obama's unpopularity in the run-up to these mid-term elections is hard to exaggerate. One of the things that is lost in the big picture of the night is some of the sidebar poll findings - the American people are fed up with all their politicians. It's not just the occupant of the White House, though as Harry Truman most famously noted, the buck stops with the president.
Mitch McConnell will be conscious of that, and will know that in two years' time, when it is not just the Senate but the presidency in play, the American people could be venting their spleen on him. Be fearful of the blame game.Mitch McConnell will be conscious of that, and will know that in two years' time, when it is not just the Senate but the presidency in play, the American people could be venting their spleen on him. Be fearful of the blame game.
That leaves the Kentucky senator with some important tactical decisions to make.That leaves the Kentucky senator with some important tactical decisions to make.
Sopel: Obama's mid-term headacheSopel: Obama's mid-term headache
Mitch McConnell: DC insider with a missionMitch McConnell: DC insider with a mission
Throughout the campaign, Republicans focused on voter dissatisfaction with Mr Obama, a Democrat, describing the vote as a referendum on his presidency.Throughout the campaign, Republicans focused on voter dissatisfaction with Mr Obama, a Democrat, describing the vote as a referendum on his presidency.
As the first results came in late on Tuesday, it became clear they had made the six gains they needed to win control of the Senate.As the first results came in late on Tuesday, it became clear they had made the six gains they needed to win control of the Senate.
The Republicans won in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia. The party now controls 52 seats, and is tipped to win at least one more as votes are counted in other states.The Republicans won in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia. The party now controls 52 seats, and is tipped to win at least one more as votes are counted in other states.
Their victory came on the back of a wave of discontent expressed by voters on the campaign trial - unhappy with an economic recovery they fail to feel the benefits of, and frustrated by political gridlock in Congress, which has already reached historic levels.Their victory came on the back of a wave of discontent expressed by voters on the campaign trial - unhappy with an economic recovery they fail to feel the benefits of, and frustrated by political gridlock in Congress, which has already reached historic levels.
But echoing his successor's sentiment of unity, current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid congratulated Mr McConnell in a short statement.But echoing his successor's sentiment of unity, current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid congratulated Mr McConnell in a short statement.
"The message from voters is clear - they want us to work together," said Mr Reid of Nevada, whose role in the soon-to-be Democratic minority remains uncertain."The message from voters is clear - they want us to work together," said Mr Reid of Nevada, whose role in the soon-to-be Democratic minority remains uncertain.
"I look forward to working with Senator McConnell to get things done for the middle class.""I look forward to working with Senator McConnell to get things done for the middle class."
The Republicans are also projected to increase their majority - by at least 10 seats - in the House of Representatives to levels not seen since before World War Two.The Republicans are also projected to increase their majority - by at least 10 seats - in the House of Representatives to levels not seen since before World War Two.
They also made gains among the 36 governorships up for re-election.They also made gains among the 36 governorships up for re-election.
The Republicans will now have the power to complicate, if not block completely, Mr Obama's agenda in the last two years of his tenure in the White House.The Republicans will now have the power to complicate, if not block completely, Mr Obama's agenda in the last two years of his tenure in the White House.
Control of the Senate will also enable the Republicans to stymie his ability to name new federal judges, cabinet members and senior government officials.Control of the Senate will also enable the Republicans to stymie his ability to name new federal judges, cabinet members and senior government officials.
Explore interactive results mapExplore interactive results map
In the governor's races, Republican incumbents survived some tough re-election battles and scored some surprising victories, cementing their success across several levels of government.In the governor's races, Republican incumbents survived some tough re-election battles and scored some surprising victories, cementing their success across several levels of government.
Voters approved ballot measures legalising cannabis in Oregon and Washington DC.Voters approved ballot measures legalising cannabis in Oregon and Washington DC.
And three states - South Dakota, Arkansas and Nebraska - approved increases in the minimum wage.And three states - South Dakota, Arkansas and Nebraska - approved increases in the minimum wage.