Poll: GOP landslide in House races likely

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A new poll indicates Republicans have held their momentum heading into the midterm elections despite stepped up campaigning by the Democrats.

The Wall Street Journal/NBC survey says the Republicans lead by 14 percentage points in the 92 House districts considered to be the most competitive in the Nov. 2 voting.

The Journal said Tuesday the results mean the Democrats will likely lose control of the House.

"It's hard to say Democrats are facing anything less than a category four hurricane," said Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who took part in the survey. "It's unlikely the Democratic House will be left standing."

GOP pollster Bill McInturff added Republicans had a shot a picking up as many as 53 House seats, far more than the 39 they need to take control of the House.

Nationwide, 50 percent of likely voters are leaning Republican opposed to 43 percent Democrat.

A recent escalation of Democratic media activity appears to have solidified the party base, and the poll says voters that support the Republican Party are not always as enthusiastic about individual GOP candidates.

The survey was conducted Oct. 14-18 among 1,000 registered voters. The overall margin for error was plus-minus 3.1 percentage points.