US: After losing election, Republican Party looks to regroup

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Republican Party is essentially in tatters, and not that long after President George W. Bush's 2000 election spurred talk of enduring Republican dominance. John McCain's shellacking, along with recent congressional losses, leaves the party searching for a new leader and identity. "It's time for the losing to stop. And my commitment to you is that it will," House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio told his rank and file after the party lost at least 19 congressional seats Tuesday _ on his watch. Saying the party's image has been tainted by "scandals and broken promises," Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina declared: "We have got to clean up, reform and rebuild the Republican Party before we can ask Americans to trust us again." He called for party leaders to "embrace a bold new direction" or hit the road.