Economy seen as GOP congressional threat

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Economic turmoil is posing a serious threat to Republican congressional candidates and a possible Democratic boon, officials say.

With the general election less than a month away, analysts are predicting a Democratic surge because of the intense focus on the shaky U.S. economy and last week's bailout vote.

This could mean a tougher fight for many GOP incumbents in traditional strongholds and the possibility of new majorities for Democratic leaders, top campaign officials for both parties, pollsters and independent experts told The New York Times.

In the House of Representatives, Democrats say they could capture a dozen of the 26 Republican seats left open by retirements and point hopefully to challengers in New York, Colorado, Florida, Michigan and others. In the Senate, the Times says, Democrats say they feel they are well ahead in five races where they hope to pick up Republican seats.

Republicans, with fewer targets, are reported eyeing Democratic House seats in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and others.

Stuart Rothenberg, a nonpartisan analyst, predicts to the Times that Democrats could gain six to nine Senate seats and 25 to 30 House seats. This past week, he said, "has severely damaged Republican candidates."