Democrats completed their sweeping power seizure of Congress last night and pledged to find common ground with President Bush when possible.
The Democrats sealed control of Congress by taking a 51-49 majority in the Senate with former navy secretary Jim Webb's defeat of Republican Senator George Allen in a Virginia race so close it almost required a recount.
"The election's over. It's time for a change," said Nevada Democratic Senator Harry Reid, who will become Senate majority leader. "It's time for bipartisanship, it's time for open government, transparency, and it's a time for results."
Mr Allen, who lost by less than 10,000 votes, conceded defeat, ending two days of uncertainty after Tuesday's elections. "I do not wish to cause more rancour by protracted litigation which would, in my judgment, not alter the results," Mr Allen said.
Democrats easily seized control of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, gaining about 30 seats. But wresting the Senate from Republicans awaited the outcome of the Webb-Allen race.
Faced with a new political landscape in Washington, Mr Bush signalled a more conciliatory approach on Iraq as he and the new House leaders pledged to work together but conceded they would have differences.
He had a White House lunch with Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat who is set to become the first woman speaker of the House
Mr Bush called the talks, which included number two House Democrat Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Vice President Dick Cheney, constructive and friendly. He said with the elections over, it was time to address America's challenges.
"We won't agree on every issue. 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," Mr Bush said.
Ms Pelosi, who complained bitterly about Mr Bush on the campaign trail, beamed as she sat in the place of honour next to the president beneath a portrait of George Washington in the Oval Office.
"I look forward to working in a confidence-building way with the president, recognising that we have our differences, and we will debate them, and that is what our founders intended, but we will do so in a way that gets results for the American people," she said.
She pledged to represent everyone in the House. "I understand my responsibility: of Speaker of the House, of all of the House, not just the Democrats."
Mr Bush also called Mr Reid to congratulate him on the party's takeover of the Senate.
Mr Bush sounded willing to consider ideas for a shift in course in Iraq during remarks he made after meeting with his Cabinet.
"I'm open to any idea or suggestion that will help us achieve our goals of defeating the terrorists and ensuring that Iraq's democratic government succeeds," Mr Bush said.
His chastened tone came a day after Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation was announced. The nominee to replace him, former CIA director Robert Gates, is expected to have a more open mind on Iraq.
Democrats have made clear they will exert strong pressure on Mr Bush for a policy shift in Iraq amid rising US casualties and violence.
Mr Bush said the United States has a responsibility to support the more than 149,000 US troops in Iraq - an indirect challenge to those Democrats who have talked about cutting off funding for the Iraq mission.
While planning ahead to work with Democrats when they take over in January, Mr Bush is scrambling to get the lame-duck session of Congress, which starts next week and will still be controlled by Republicans, to approve several items.
At the top of the list is a quick confirmation of Mr Gates, as well as approval of legislation to permit wiretapping of terrorism suspects, a civilian nuclear deal with India, and Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization.