WASHINGTON - FRESH off a US presidential election defeat and further losses in Congress, the Republican Party launched a new website on Tuesday asking members for their ideas on its future.

'We are a party of principles and must regain our voice,' Republican National Committee chairman Robert Duncan said in a statement announcing the creation of the website, RepublicanForAReason.com.

'We need to hear what our volunteers, activists, elected leaders, and party members think about the Republican Party as we rebuild, re-focus, and renew our bond with the American people,' Mr Duncan added.

The statement said the new website provides a venue for party members to 'offer their opinion of where the party is headed and how we can be better prepared for the future.'

Besides watching party flag-bearer John McCain lose the race for the White House to Democrat Barack Obama, Republicans also lost at least six seats in the Senate and 20 in the House of Representatives.

Several other congressional races have not yet been decided. -- AFP