WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Polls show Democrats are improving their odds of taking control of the U.S. Senate and are focusing on three states -- Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia.
Democratic challengers are strongly positioned against GOP incumbents in Ohio, Montana, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, leaving the party seeking two more seats to take the majority Nov. 7, The Washington Post said Sunday.
One analyst predicted Democrats would win between four and seven seats and need to win two of three races in Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia, the Post said.
Republicans have controlled the Senate since 1994, except in 2001-02, and now hold 55 of 100 seats. But analysts said many of the issues they think will lead to the Democrats retaking the House increase the chances for the same outcome in the Senate, the Post said.
Democrats historically have trouble competing in states normally voting Republican in national elections, but this year's political environment is more troublesome for the GOP.
Issues weighing on Republican incumbents include dissatisfaction with President Bush and the Iraq war and the sex scandal involving former Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., who resigned in September after suggestive electronic messages to congressional pages came to light, the Post said.
