LOS ANGELES, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Winning a U.S. Senate majority will be a nail-biter for Democrats, based on Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg polls of voters in three key rural states.
The Democrats need to gain six seats for a 51-49 majority in the Senate following the Nov. 7 midterm elections, and the Times said that could hinge on winning two of three traditionally conservative states -- Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia.
In polls, in Missouri, Republican Sen. Jim Talent was ahead of Democrat Claire McCaskill, 48 percent to 45 percent.
In Tennessee, Republican Bob Corker led Democratic Rep. Harold Ford Jr., 49 percent to 44 percent, in the race for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Bill Frist.
In Virginia, Democrat Jim Webb led Republican Sen. George Allen, 47 percent to 44 percent.
The Times said polls in Ohio and New Jersey were with their various margins of error and were too close to call.
Should the Senate be divided 50-50, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney would provide the tie-breaking Senate vote for Republicans.
