American President Barack Obama, whose Democratic Party had to concede majority ground in the Senate to the Republicans in the mid-term polls, promised to step up in his job over the next two years.
"Obviously, the Republicans had a good night. They deserve credit for running good campaigns," Obama said at a news conference on Wednesday in the White House's East Room. "It doesn't make me mopey. It energizes me, because it means that this democracy's working."
While he assured voters that he had got their 'message', Obama reportedly stayed away from announcing any policy changes, including recalling the controversial healthcare reforms. He also hinted he would not back down on immigration reform.
"The American people have sent a message. They expect the people they elect to work as hard as they do, to focus on their ambitions and get their job done," he said.
"To everyone who voted, I want you to know, I hear you, and to the 2/3rds who chose not to participate in the process, I hear you too," Obama said, probably in an attempt to highlight poor voter turnout to put the results in perspective.
Vowing to do his best job in office over the next two years, Obama also chose to remind voters about America's progress in the six years of his term.
"This country has made real progress since the crisis six years ago. The fact is more Americans are working; unemployment has come down. More Americans have health insurance. Manufacturing has grown. Our deficits have shrunk. Our dependence on foreign oil is down, as are gas prices. Our graduation rates are up. Our businesses aren't just creating jobs at the fastest pace since the 1990s, our economy is outpacing most of the world," Obama said.
"I plan on spending every moment of the next two years to do my job the best I can, and keep the country safe, and make sure more Americans share in this prosperity."
Obama said he was optimistic about America's future, and said that the nation had to work together to stop the spread of terrorism and disease.
"Whether it is climate change.. or stopping the spread of terror or disease, the United States has big things to do, and we can and we will make progress if we work together," Obama said in his 90-minute address.
