Opposition hopes to capture US House of Representatives

Washington, Nov 7 (UNI) Polling began this morning in the United State for the mid-term elections in which opposition Democratic Party hopes to capture the 435-member House of Representatives and is out to give a tough challenge to the Republican Party for the Senate, both of which have been under Republican control for the last 12 years.

The Democratic Party needs 15 additional seats in Congress and six in Senate to resume control of the Congress which it lost to the Republican Party during the Clinton Presidency.

President George W Bush and First Lady Laura Bush cast their votes at their ranch in Crawford, Texas, where he urged people across the country to get out and vote.

In today's polling, voters will elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 33 members of the Senate, one-third of its strength, and governors in 36 of the 50 states.

About dozen candidates of Indian origin are also in the fray for various posts including Bobby Jindal (Republican) who is trying to retain his seat in the House of Representatives.

Most public opinion polls predict that Democrats could win the 15 additional seats they need in the House, but will have tough time securing six seats it needs to have majority in the 100-member Senate. Tight races in Tennessee, New Jersey, Virginia, and Missouri will determine the shape of Senate.

What has given boost to the Democratic Party's poll prospects this time, according to observers, is the growing unpopularity of the Iraq war which has adversely affected President Bush's approval rating. Though the Democrats are vociferous in their opposition to the war, their party is sharply divided over how to bring troops back from Iraq and when.

The President, who, himself, is engaged in an intense campaigning highlights the economic record of his administration, arguing that his tax cuts had reduced unemployment to a record low.

Meanwhile, NBC News, quoting officials, reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is looking into the possibility of voter intimidation in the US Senate race between Republican Senator George Allen, and Democratic challenger James Webb.

State officials alerted the Justice Department on several complaints of suspicious phone calls to voters who attempted to misdirect or confuse them about election day, Jean Jensen, Secretary of the Virginia State Board of Elections said.

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