Washington – Virginia Sen. George Allen, R-Va., conceded defeat Thursday, putting the Senate in Democratic hands for the first time since 2003 and giving the Democrats a sweep of both houses – a seismic shift in the Washington political climate.
Montana Republican Sen. Conrad Burns conceded earlier Thursday in his re-election bid after his Democratic challenger, Jon Tester, claimed victory Wednesday.
Those Senate victories give the Democrats a 51-49 Senate majority, counting two independents who are expected to caucus with the Democrats.
In conceding to Democrat Jim Webb, Allen said a recount would only increase the acrimony that has recently characterized the political landscape.
“I do not wish to cause more rancor by protracted litigation which would, in my judgment, not … alter the results,” he said. “I see no good purpose being served by continuously and needlessly expending money and causing any more personal animosity.”
Allen called on President Bush to “publicly denounce campaign tactics that have divided us,” noting the midterms have seen “an unnecessarily brutal campaign.”
Meanwhile, Bush met Thursday at the White House with Reps. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Steny Hoyer, D-Md., appealing for bipartisanship in the next two years.
“All three of us recognize that when you win, you have a responsibility to do the best you can for the country,” Bush said, calling the conversation “constructive and very friendly.”
For her part, Pelosi, who is set to become House speaker in January, described the meeting as “very productive” and said both sides had extended “the hand of friendship, of partnership.”
She said she looked forward to working “in a confidence-building way” to bridge differences. “We’ve made history,” she said. “Now we have to make progress.”
The bipartisan pledges of cooperation generated considerable skepticism in Washington, a city accustomed to partisan warfare. But Bush has reached effectively across party lines before, both as governor of Texas and early in his presidency.
“We won’t agree on every issue,” Bush told reporters after the peacemaking lunch. “But we do agree that we love America equally, that we’re concerned about the future of this country and that we will do our very best to address big problems.”
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada is poised to join Pelosi at the forefront of a newly energized national Democratic Party when the new Congress convenes in January.
Both the Democrats and Republicans plan to select their new leaders in caucus meetings next week.
Reid was quick to characterize the results as a mandate for sweeping change.
“The days of the do-nothing Congress are over,” he said. “From changing course in Iraq to raising the minimum wage to fixing the health care crisis to making this country energy-independent, we’re ready to get to work.”
McClatchy Newspapers contributed to this report.
