WASHINGTON (AP) - No fewer than 65 House seats across the
country - an overwhelming majority held by Democrats - are at risk
of changing political hands this fall, enough to bolster Republican
hopes of regaining power and stoke fears in President Barack
Obama's party of losing it.
Even more races from California to New York could become
competitive by November as voters look to blame someone for the
sluggish economic recovery and take out their frustration on the
Democrats who run the government. As of now, enough seats are in
play that Republicans could gain the 39 they need to reclaim the
House, dealing a blow to Obama in the first midterm elections of
his presidency.
Primary outcomes and national polls show a restless electorate
and energized Republicans. Independents who propelled the Democrats
to power in 2006 and 2008 in scores of swing districts are leaning
toward the GOP, expressing concerns about excessive spending,
government overreach and the spiraling national debt.