DEMOCRATS PLAY DOWN ELECTION LOSSES

The Republican victories in two governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey energised the opposition and are a setback for Obama as he struggles with his legislative agenda.

They could also be ominous for Democrats ahead of next year's midterm elections, when a third of the Senate, all of the House of Representatives and most governorships are on the ballot.

But White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that voters in both states went to the polls to work through "very local issues that didn't involve the president."

The victories in Virginia and New Jersey were triumphs for a Republican Party looking to rebuild after being booted from power in national elections in 2006 and 2008.

In both states, Republicans won the votes of independents who had been crucial to Mr Obama's victory last year.

In the traditionally Democratic state of New Jersey, Governor Jon Corzine, a billionaire former Wall Street executive, was defeated by Republican Chris Christie.

In the other race, Bob McDonnell won a resounding victory over R Creigh Deeds in Virginia, a state that was once a Republican stronghold but elected Democrats the last two times and also backed Mr Obama last year.

The outcomes of the two races were watched closely for hints about the attitudes of American voters and whether the diverse coalition that sent Mr Obama to the White House remains intact.

Some commentators said any impact could be overstated as only two of the 50 US states were holding governor elections, and voters often were focused on local issues and local personalities.