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Washington: Alexander retains GOP chairmanship

By: Herman Wang
(Contact)

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Lamar Alexander

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats and Republicans re-elected their top leaders Tuesday, with Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., returning as Republican Conference chairman, the party’s No. 3 leadership post.

In that position, Sen. Alexander is responsible for shaping the message of the Senate Republican caucus.

“Being sent to the woodshed tends to energize you,” Sen. Alexander said, referring to the Nov. 4 election, when Democrats gained several seats in Congress. “We need to go back to our principles and develop solutions that really meet the needs of the people.”

Democrats re-elected Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., as majority leader, along with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., as assistant majority leader and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., as vice chairman of the conference.

“I look forward to again leading my colleagues into the next session with a promise of unity and bipartisanship to deliver the results that we as a country need,” Sen. Reid said.

Republicans re-elected Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as minority leader, and Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., as minority whip.

Sen. McConnell said he hopes President-elect Barack Obama governs as a centrist.

“If he does that, he can expect a lot of cooperation from Republicans,” Sen. McConnell said.

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