USA: Democrats sweep Republicans and take control of the House of Representatives, Senate race still tight

Record ID: 858277

  • Title: USA: Democrats sweep Republicans and take control of the House of Representatives, Senate race still tight
  • Date: 8th November 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) VERDA VAN HART SAYING: "And I am proud to be here, and I am proud to be an American tonight, and I voted, and the Democrats are going to do it. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WILLEM DICKE SAYING: "It sends a message that Americans can change mid course, and that we can recognize the wrong path the wrong course when we see it, and then we can take measures to change course." DEMOCRATS CHEERING
  • Embargoed: 23rd November 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACGGOA4RDMF43OIEP0RP2L4CB
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  • Story Text: Democrats swept Republicans out of power in the U.S. House of Representatives and made gains in the Senate on Tuesday (November 7), riding to victory on a wave of public discontent with the Iraq war, corruption and President George W. Bush's leadership.
    Two years after a decisive election victory for Bush and his Republicans, Democrats picked up at least the 15 seats they needed to win control of the House for the first time since 1994, according to TV network projections.
    "We cannot continue down this catastrophic path. And so we say to the president. Mr. President we need a new direction in Iraq. (APPLAUSE) Let us work together to find a solution to end the war in Iraq The campaign is over. Democrats are ready to lead," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is likely to become the first Speaker of the House.
    The win is likely to slam the brakes on Bush's legislative agenda in his final two years and give Democrats a chance to investigate his administration's most controversial policy decisions such as the war in Iraq.
    In New York City, Senator Hillary Clinton flanked by husband former President Bill Clinton said US voters were saying it is time for a change.
    "You know the message couldn't be clearer, that it is time for a new course. Beyond all the partisan, ideological division, back to the vital dynamic centre, to begin to solve the problems of New yorkers and Americans," said Clinton.
    Democrats also picked up three of the six Republican Senate seats they need for control -- in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Ohio -- and held their own threatened Senate seats in New Jersey and Maryland.
    One of the few places across the country that was seeing red, was California, where second term governor Arnold Swarzenegger kept the focus on politics in California.
    "What a fantastic evening, you know I love doing sequels. I love doing sequels I tell you. But this without any doubt is my favourite sequel. I have to tell you that. What a great night and what a great victory, what a great victory for the people of California," said Schwarzenegger.
    But Republicans led tight races in Tennessee, Missouri and Virginia that were crucial to Democratic hopes of winning the Senate. Returns were just beginning to come in on the other contested race in Montana.
    All 435 House seats, 33 Senate seats and 36 governorships were at stake in the elections and Democrats had to pick up 15 House seats and six Senate seats to take control of both chambers.
    History was with the Democrats -- the party holding the White House traditionally loses seats in a president's sixth year.
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