WASHINGTON — Five things to look for the morning after Election Day:
OBAMA HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO
What word will President Barack Obama use to describe this election?
Four years ago he called his party's loss of the House a "shellacking." Now he's got to cope with the loss of the Senate.
Look to see if Obama follows the presidential tradition of holding a press conference the day after a midterm election. Since midterms tend to go against the party that occupies the White House, it's not usually a comfortable time for presidents.
GRIDLOCK OR ACTION?
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered a victory speech vowing to turn the country around.
But then McConnell added: "I don't expect the president to wake up tomorrow and view the world any differently than he did this morning. He knows I won't either."
Obama kicks off the new era by inviting congressional leaders to the White House Friday.
SENATE RACES TO WATCH
Republicans cinched control of the Senate and are looking to build on their majority. Louisiana is heading to a Dec. 6 runoff between Republican Bill Cassidy and Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu. Groups on either side were rushing a new round of attack ads onto the airwaves, extending a negative campaign for a few more weeks.
REPUBLICANS ON TRACK TO BUILD ON THEIR HOUSE MAJORITY
Watch to see whether the GOP can build their biggest House majority in the post-World War II era. Republicans are widely expected to grow their 234-seats beyond the 2010 tea party wave that led to 242 GOP representatives. If they can win more than 246 seats, they would exceed their numbers from 1947-49 Congress during the Truman administration.
GOVERNORS FROM BOTH PARTIES LOOKING TO HOLD ON
Republicans took over governor's offices in Arkansas and Illinois, while Pennsylvania switched to Democratic control in a rare bright spot for the president's party. Key races outstanding across the country, included Kansas, Colorado, Massachusetts and Maine.
By NEDRA PICKLER - Nov. 4, 2014 11:53 PM EST
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Follow Nedra Pickler on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nedrapickler
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