Republicans may lose U.S. House majority

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Republican and Democratic Party strategists say this November's U.S. congressional election could end the GOP's 12-year-old majority in the House.

Two independent political analysts -- Stuart Rothenberg and Charles Cook - tell the New York Times they expect a narrow Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives, if current political conditions persist. Rothenberg said he expects Democrats to take away 15-20 seats, to secure the minimum 218 seats required for a majority.

National polls show that key indicators such as presidential and congressional approval ratings and attitudes on the direction of the country reflect an electorate unhappy with the status quo and open to change on Nov. 7, the newspaper said.

"It's the most difficult off-year cycle for the Republicans since 1982," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and former chief of staff to the Republican National Committee. "Environmentally, it's about as good from the Democratic perspective as they could hope to have."