THE PRESIDENT: Rutenberg.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. You just described the election results as a "thumping."

THE PRESIDENT: I said the cumulative -- make sure -- who do you write for?

Q The New York Times, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, yes, that's right. (Laughter.) Let's make sure we get it -- the facts. I said that the elections were close; the cumulative effect --

Q Is a thumping.

THE PRESIDENT: -- thumping. (Laughter.)

Q But the results --

THE PRESIDENT: A polite way of saying -- anyway, go ahead. (Laughter.)