Obama on midterms: Voters want Washington to 'get stuff done'

Obama on midterms: Voters want Washington to &#039;get stuff done&#039;

(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

President Obama on Wednesday soberly assessed his party's resounding defeat in the midterm elections, saying the clear message from voters was that they want Washington to scrap the dysfunction and finally "get stuff done."

"They expect the people they elect to work as hard as they do," he said.

"To everyone who voted: I hear you," he added.

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To that end, Obama said he would work with Republicans on issues where there is broad bipartisan agreement, and take executive action when he is compelled to act alone. Specifically, the president said he would move on immigration reform by the end of the year in lieu of a bill from Congress.

"Congress will pass some bills I cannot sign," he said. "I'm pretty sure I'll take some actions Congress won't like."

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Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.