Democrats seen riding voter anger to Congress

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Republicans increasingly on defensive as economy worries persist
By Robert Schroeder, MarketWatch
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/democrats-seen-riding-voter-anger/story.aspx?guid=%7B6C17EE3D%2DAB77%2D41B8%2D90ED%2D08EDC35A4A0C%7D&dist=hplatest

Democrats appear poised to pick up extra seats in both houses of Congress on Nov. 4 as fears about the financial crisis and the economy persist and Republicans remain vulnerable this historic election year.

With all 435 members of the House up for reelection as usual, and 35 Senate seats up for grabs, an already-blue Congress could get bluer if the political stars align for Democrats. And at this point, with about a month to go before Election Day, those stars appear to be shining on the Democrats.

"It's only a question of, 'is it a bad night for the Republicans, or a catastrophic night?'" says Nathan Gonzales, political editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, a nonpartisan newsletter.

Citing sour moods among voters and a higher belief that the country is on the wrong track versus the right one, Gonzales estimates that Democrats will gain at least 20 seats in the House and between six and nine in the Senate. Eyes will be on the Senate races especially, where a gain of nine seats would give the Democrats the 60 votes needed for a filibuster-proof majority. The Senate is currently split among 49 Democrats and 49 Republicans, though its two independent members align with the Democrats.