Obama calls Boehner to offer congratulations

In this image released by the White House, President Barack Obama makes a phone call to Republican John Boehner, in Washington on Tuesday.

President Barack Obama called Republican leaders early on Wednesday to congratulate them on their midterm election victories and to promise to try to find “common ground” with them after a bruising campaign season.

The White House and incoming House Speaker John Boehner said the President called the Ohio Republican to offer congratulations on the Republicans’ regaining control of the House. Mr. Boehner said he promised to be honest with Mr. Obama and the two agreed to work together, even though Republicans campaigned on vows to turn back much of Mr. Obama’s agenda.

During what Mr. Boehner described as a brief but pleasant midnight conversation, the two discussed working together on the electorate’s priorities. Boehner said he defined those as cutting spending and creating jobs.

“That’s what they expect,” Mr. Boehner’s statement quoted him as telling the President.

A White House statement said the President also called Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who will remain in the minority but lead a strengthened Republican caucus.

In his calls to the Republicans, the President said he was looking forward to working with them to “find common ground, move the country forward and get things done for the American people.”

Current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and current House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer also received calls from Mr. Obama.

Earlier in the evening, Mr. Boehner and other Republicans said they were eager to work with Mr. Obama -- on their terms. Republicans have said they want to cut $100 billion in spending in the first year and try to roll back Mr. Obama’s overhauls of health care and financial regulations.