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Politics

Pelosi: Results, not revenge

Democrats, fresh off House gains, promise to work with Bush and roll out objectives for the coming year.

By TIMES WIRES
Published November 9, 2006

WASHINGTON - After winning control of the House for the first time in 12 years, Democrats pledged Wednesday to work closely with President Bush on a legislative agenda but called for a change in Iraq and new directions on policies such as the minimum wage and stem cell research.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who will succeed Dennis Hastert as speaker, promised action early next year on a Democratic package including a $2.10 an hour increase in the minimum wage, full implementation of the Sept. 11 commission's recommendations and making some tuition payments tax deductible.

Pelosi, however, said she would not heed the calls of liberal activists to explore impeaching the president. But with subpoena power and committee chairmanships, Democrats will ensure that Bush's antiterrorism and war policies receive scrutiny.

"Democrats are not about getting even; Democrats are about getting results," she said.

Voters on Tuesday handed Democrats control of the House for the first time since 1994. In January, Pelosi will become the first female House speaker.

Democrats won 229 seats and led in three, putting them on track for a 30-seat gain if trends held in remaining unsettled races. Party standings would be 232-203.

Without losing any seats of their own, Democrats captured 28 GOP-held seats. The party won in every region of the country, and party leaders said they hoped to strengthen their majority by besting Republican incumbents in several tight races.

In Ohio, Rep. Deborah Pryce, the No. 4-ranking Republican in the House, struggled to fend off Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy in Columbus, and GOP Rep. Jean Schmidt, who once suggested Vietnam veteran John Murtha was a coward, held a slim lead in her southern Ohio district.

Republican incumbents also were ahead in four other states, but those margins were too tight to declare a winner. They were GOP Reps. Heather Wilson in New Mexico, Robin Hayes in North Carolina, Dave Reichart in Washington and Barbara Cubin in Wyoming.

In Connecticut, Democrat Joe Courtney sought to hang on to a 170-vote lead over Rep. Rob Simmons in a race that appeared headed for an automatic recount.

Elsewhere, Texas GOP Rep. Henry Bonilla was headed to a December runoff against Democrat Ciro Rodriguez because the congressman got only 48 percent of the vote in an eight-candidate field. He needed 50 percent to avoid a runoff.

Information from the Washington Post and Associated Press was used in this report.

[Last modified November 9, 2006, 01:33:09]