Republicans win House; Democrats keep Senate
The Republican gains usher in an era of divided government for the United States. Obama will have to deal with a more conservative Congress, which will include members of the antiestablishment tea party movement.
The results reflected Americans' frustrations with the weak US economy and disillusionment with Obama, who was swept into office two years ago on a message of hope and change.
Republican John Boehner, destined to replace Nancy Pelosi as House speaker, called the results "a repudiation of Washington, a repudiation of big government and a repudiation of politicians who refuse to listen to the people."
Obama monitored returns at the White House, then telephoned Boehner and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell with congratulations in a call that underscored the power shift.
In the Senate, Republicans won at least six Senate seats now held by Democrats. Among them was Obama's old seat in Illinois, captured by a congressman, Rep. Mark Kirk.
But Democrats won the biggest single race, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid defeating Sharron Angle, a favorite of the tea party movement. Democrats also retained seats targeted by Republicans in West Virginia and California, where liberal incumbent Barbara Boxer defeated former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina.
Republicans needed to pick up 10 seats to take control of the 100-seat Senate. As of early Wednesday, Democrats had 51 seats to 46 for Republicans, with three races not yet decided in Alaska, Colorado and Washington state.
In the House, incomplete returns showed the Republicans had a net gain of at least 59 seats and led for six more - the biggest party turnover in more than 70 years. That far exceeded the 40 seats needed to capture control. It also eclipsed their so-called "revolution" that claimed the House in 1994 during Bill Clinton's presidency, ending decades of Democratic control.
The Republican gains will complicate Obama's ability to enact his proposals during the last two years of his term and possibly force him to fight off attacks on health care legislation and other bills already signed into law.
Although international affairs had little role in the campaign, Obama's global agenda also would be affected in areas such as arms control and climate change.
Obama scheduled a news conference for Wednesday to discuss the election outcome. Before the first results came in, Washington already was buzzing with speculation about whether Republican gains would lead to gridlock or attempts to find common ground, and how they would affect Obama's prospects for re-election in 2012; Kazinform cites China Daily.
See www.chinadaily.com.cn for full version
