Republicans Gain Ground Ahead of Elections

http://www.wkrc.com/news/national/story ... EB4D8B55FE

11/6/2006

United Press International

Republicans have gained ground in the polls ahead of U.S. midterm elections dominated by the war in Iraq and national issues.

Recent polls have showed the Democrats' nationwide lead narrowing, with one Washington Post-ABC News poll suggesting the gap had shrunk to 6 percentage points and a Pew Research Center poll suggesting the gap has narrowed to 4 percentage points from 11 percent two weeks ago, The Washington Post reported Monday.

Pew Research Center Director Andrew Kohut said the poll found that among likely voters, Republicans outnumber Democrats.

The New York Times said national issues have dominated the final stretch of the campaign, with candidates looking to establish credibility on a number of issues, including the war in Iraq, the economy, immigration and social issues.

The election has also been affected by a wave of anti-incumbency sentiment caused in part by a Congress plagued with scandal, the Times said.

The Post said Republicans in competitive distracts have begun focusing on get-out-the-vote efforts to take an advantage in close races, while Democrats have intensified efforts to contact and win over undecided and infrequent voters.