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Democratic Rep. Engel Hopes For Common Ground With Trump

MAMARONECK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Democratic congressman representing the Bronx and Westchester County is heading back to Washington to face a dramatically changed political landscape.

"I don't write off anybody," said Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.)

As WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported, Engel said he will keep an open mind when it comes to President-elect Donald Trump. He said the fact that Trump is a New Yorker should help.

"I'm hoping that we'll find common ground, and we'll be able to work together on issues of importance to New York and to the country," Engel said.

But it is not just the White House that will be in Republican hands, of course. It is also the U.S. House and Senate. Engel thinks Democrats should stop making excuses about the election.

"We've got to look inward at ourselves and say, what have we done wrong?" Engel said. "Why are we not appealing to these people?"

Engel said he knows the process will not be easy.

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