Sen. Mark Warner, Rep. Gerald Connolly Take Office

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Though on opposites sides of the political isle, both incoming Senator Mark Warner and outgoing Senator John Warner had nothing but praise for the other at a reception following the younger's swearing-in ceremony.

Senator Mark Warner, a former Virginia Governor, called the elder "irreplaceable," Senator John Warner said the younger was "A man of great strength and great potential strength."

The reception room was packed with hundreds of people coming to wish the new Senator well and bid the retiring Senator a fond farewell and "thank you."

The crowd cheered and clapped for the 82 year old Sen. John Warner, who took the podium, turned to the new Senator and said, "You see, Mark? I should've run again!" The crowd erupted in laughter. The Republican reflected back 12 years ago when the Democrat Mark Warner ran against him a lost, saying that tough race made him sharper.

Senator John Warner looked around the room, presumably filled with mostly democrats, and said, "I want to thank each of you, scattered among you, I'm sure, are a few of my voters."

Again, applause. Senator Mark Warner's reception seemed to be equally a "goodbye" to the popular, moderate Senator who has served for 30 years. He said that the challenges facing our national today are tougher than any of all the years he was in office.

Next to both Warners (who are unrelated) stood the now senior Senator Jim Webb who Senator John Warner said more knowledge than he has on military issues. The elder Warner said Senator Mark Warner's extensive business experience will help right the bad economy.

Senator Mark Warner said "We can either be depressed about the recession, or see it as an opportunity to invest in green energy" and many other efficient new ways of doing things.

The democrats now have strong majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Representative Gerald Connolly, a democrat, was sworn in to the 11th District Congressional seat formerly held by Republican Tom Davis. Rep. Connolly, who is resigning from his position as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is optimistic about a Democratic majority in the House. "A unified government can be a real asset. It was for the New Deal. It was for the Great Society." He said it can a powerful way to tackle and solve vexing problems such as the economy is in today.

Rep. Connolly also says he will push for D.C. voting rights. He says it's "unconscionable that 600,000 Americans don't have a vote in the United States Congress."