(CNSNews.com) - In a Nov. 5 letter to his colleagues, Rep. John Boehner (Ohio) announced he wants to continue as Republican Leader in the 111th Congress, and he asked his fellow Republicans to support him in that effort.
After a tough election, Boehner said Democrats want Republicans to surrender -- to “raise the white flag and concede that our principles of freedom, responsibility, and smaller government no longer speak to the hopes and dreams of American families. They want us to stand aside for the next two years, abandon our principles, and give the new administration and the Democratic leaders of Congress a free pass.”
It must not happen, Boehner said, insisting that America “remains a center-right country.”
Boehner said Republicans must redouble their efforts to develop “forward-looking solutions to the challenges Americans face." He said Republicans must focus on winning the issues one by one, and presenting "principled, superior alternatives" to Democratic proposals.
Stressing that he sees opportunity amid disappointment, Boehner said Republicans can rebuild their majority by drawing “deep and meaningful contrasts” with Democrats on the challenges facing the country.
He noted that in the 110th Congress, Republicans successfully fought to lift the ban on offshore energy drilling, they supported the successful troop surge in Iraq, and they blocked billions of dollars in proposed new spending by Democrats.
“We learned that when we stand together as a team on principle for the American people, there’s little we can’t accomplish,” he said.
Boehner also pointed to the Republican energy protest waged on the House floor during the Congressional recess, when “Democrats were on vacations and book tours.”
“As your Leader, I’ve worked tirelessly for our team, and tried to lead by example,” Boehner told his colleagues. “Winning the majority and rebuilding our party will require the best from all of us. But this is not unfamiliar territory. We’ve faced and overcome these challenges before, and working together as a bold, unified, and energetic team, we’ll do it again.”
“It’s time for the losing to stop,” Boehner said. “And my commitment to you is that it will.”
Democrats broadened their control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday's elections.
In the House, Democrats added at least 17 seats to the 30 they took from Republicans in 2006. Fewer than 10 races remained undecided as of Wednesday morning.
Going into Tuesday's election, Democrats controlled the House 235-199 with one vacancy.
"Tonight, the American people have called for a new direction. They have called for change in America," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Tuesday.
In the Senate, Democrats added seats but fell short of the 60 need for a filibuster-proof majority.
(The Associated Press provided information on the House and Senate races used in this report.)