Republicans work to save seats

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Republicans in the U.S. Congress are working to temper what observers say are expected Democratic gains in the House and Senate.

Heading into Tuesday's election, Senate Republicans were trying to protect threatened seats in Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Oregon, The New York Times reported Monday. House GOP campaign leaders were trying to shore up party support in Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia and Wyoming.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, were active in nine states where Republicans are running for re-election and House Democrats bought advertising in 63 districts, the Times reported.

"We are deep in the red areas," Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said. "We are competing now in districts (President) George Bush carried by large margins in 2004."

As of last week, finance reports indicated Senate Democrats spent more than $67 million against Republican candidates, compared with $33.7 million in advertising by Republicans. In the House, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had spent $73 million, compared with just over $20 million for the National Republican Congressional Committee.