Obama sombre after GOP spanking

WASHINGTON (AP):

President Barack Obama faced America's new political order with a call for compromise on Wednesday following what he described as a Democratic "shellacking" in United States elections. But there were already signs of political battles ahead.

Republicans, fresh from capturing the House of Representatives, claimed a mandate to shrink the size of government and roll back Obama's signature health-care overhaul.

"Change course we will," said Republican House leader John Boehner, likely the chamber's next speaker.

Obama, appearing sombre at a news conference, took responsi-bility 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.

Agenda blocking

By winning the House and making gains in the Senate, Republicans will have the power to 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 care policies were among the most vulnerable.

Obama, who had campaigned on a theme of change, 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.

Areas of cooperating

The president suggested new areas of cooperating, including taxes and energy policy. Obama virtually abandoned his climate-change legislation - hopelessly stalled in the Senate - that featured economic incentives to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, vehicles and other sources.

Boehner, meanwhile, said the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives brings "a new majority" to Congress with a mandate to listen to the people.

Appearing with fellow Republicans at a Capitol news conference, Boehner said it's "time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work". He said the agenda the Republicans will push includes efforts to cut government spending and create jobs.

That echoed the unrelenting demand of Tea Party activists, whose energy and votes helped to fuel the largest turnover in the House in more than 70 years.

Still, the Democrats are likely to stand and fight in Congress.

The Democrats 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 sufficient numbers to override.