Victorious Republicans appeared at odds on Wednesday over how to capitalize on their new control of the U.S. Congress. Some lawmakers were eager to use their new muscle to step up attacks on President Barack Obama, while others talked hopefully of compromises that could lead to rare bipartisan legislation.

The strongly diverging views were an early indicator of the task ahead for House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner and likely new Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who will have to find a way of reconciling moderates and conservatives in their caucuses to show Americans that Republicans can govern and not just obstruct Obama's legislative agenda.

If conservatives seek confrontation with Obama that threatens a government shutdown or a market-rattling stand-off, that could hurt Republican hopes of taking back the White House and holding onto their congressional majority in 2016.