GOP swamped by lousy economy, ratings

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- An unpopular president, a lousy economy and slumping fundraising efforts are combining to create a perfect storm buffeting Republicans' election hopes.

Add to the mix is that Republicans are being forced to defend 27 more open seats than Democrats in Congress as Democrats hope to pad their numbers by as many as 28 seats in the House and seven to nine seats in the Senate, USA Today reported Monday.

Fortunes of Republican candidates fell as approval ratings for President George Bush dropped and the economy worsened, which helped stifle campaign contributions.

"Republicans are still hung over from 2006 (when Democrats took control of Congress), and they're about to get kicked in the gut again," said David Wasserman, who tracks House races for non-partisan Cook

Political Report. "Voters are intent on taking out their anger on the party they perceive to have mishandled the economy."

Once-safe Republican seats -- such as in North Carolina where Sen. Elizabeth Dole faces a tough race against Democrat Kay Hagan -- have become tight, the newspaper said. In Minnesota, incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman is in a contentious battle with former "Saturday Night Live" writer and comedian Al Franken.

"The mood across the country is not particularly good right now," Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., a first-term senator in a tight race with Democrat Jim Martin.