In other Words, He Was Chastened?   

" Chastened by a 'thumpin' ' at the polls, President Bush heeded voters' call for change Wednesday by ousting Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld."
(Raleigh's News & Observer)

Bush "appeared chastened by the election outcome, for which he said he bears 'a large part of the responsibility.'"
(Baltimore Sun)

"Speaking at a White House news conference the day after Democrats took control of the House of Representatives, and possibly the Senate, an apparently chastened and conciliatory Bush said he was nominating former CIA director Robert M. Gates to replace the long-embattled Rumsfeld."
(Washington Post)

Bush "spoke at a White House news conference with a chastened tone."
(Los Angeles Times)

"Talk about how he appeared different, changed. I heard the word ' chastened ' earlier today."
(NBC's Brian Williams on the "Nightly News")