There are now at least eight critical contests in which polling shows essentially a dead heat, encouraging Republicans’ hopes that they may yet snag the chamber, which very recently seemed beyond their reach, writes the Washington Post. Some of the GOP boost is coming from the top of the ticket in the form of Mitt Romney, whose recent surge in the polls seems to be helping Republican candidates across the country. But both parties agree that many of the most important races have become more competitive in recent days, and their outcomes harder to predict. Senate contests in the presidential battlegrounds of Wisconsin and Virginia, where Democrats had leads in polls a few weeks ago, are now essentially even and could be especially influenced if Romney performs well in those states. Polls show Democratic incumbents in Ohio and Florida still ahead, but those races have tightened as Romney has gained ground in the states. And the Senate races in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, long thought to be safe wins for Democrats, have become real contests. To take control of the Senate, Republicans will need a net gain of four seats if President Obama is reelected, but only three if Romney wins. In that case, Paul Ryan, as Romney’s vice president, would become the Senate’s tiebreaking vote.
30
Oct 2012
