Changes

After the [[Democratic Party]] successes in the 2006 off-year election (when they recaptured Congress), augmented by more gains in the [[United States Presidential Election, 2008|Presidential Election of 2008]], the question is whether the Democrats will hold their gains or slip back.  Since the Democrats have an advantage of 257-178 in the House, the GOP must gain 40 seats to recapture control. Since the Democrats control the Senate 60-40 (counting two independents and the vacant Massachusetts seat), the GOP needs to gain 11 seats in the Senate to retake control<ref>A 50-50 tie would be broken by the vice president in favor of the Democrats.</ref>; but even a one-seat gain would allow the GOP to filibuster obnoxious bills, for 60 votes are needed to break a filibuster.

After the [[Democratic Party]] successes in the 2006 off-year election (when they recaptured Congress), augmented by more gains in the [[United States Presidential Election, 2008|Presidential Election of 2008]], the question is whether the Democrats will hold their gains or slip back.  Since the Democrats have an advantage of 257-178 in the House, the GOP must gain 40 seats to recapture control. Since the Democrats control the Senate 60-40 (counting two independents and the vacant Massachusetts seat), the GOP needs to gain 11 seats in the Senate to retake control<ref>A 50-50 tie would be broken by the vice president in favor of the Democrats.</ref>; but even a one-seat gain would allow the GOP to filibuster obnoxious bills, for 60 votes are needed to break a filibuster.

 

Election forecasters in September 2009 were revising their predictions downward for the Democrats, as Obama's popularity continues to plunge, and the popularity of Congress remains low. Fewer people are calling themselves Democrats.  The Republican party, however, suffers from a lack of leaders and its own poor reputation in voter esteem.

Election forecasters in September 2009 were revising their predictions downward for the Democrats, as Obama's popularity continues to plunge, and the popularity of Congress remains low. Fewer people are calling themselves Democrats.  The Republican party, however, suffers from a lack of leaders and its own poor reputation in voter esteem.

Analyst Stuart Rothenberg is now reporting, "Growing public concern about spending, taxes and the size of government has started to shift the national landscape away from the Democrats to a more neutral position, and quite possibly toward the GOP."<ref>Stuart Rothenberg, "All Signs Point to Another Top-Notch Election Cycle in 2010," ''Roll Call'' Sept. 8, 2009] </ref>

Analyst Stuart Rothenberg is now reporting, "Growing public concern about spending, taxes and the size of government has started to shift the national landscape away from the Democrats to a more neutral position, and quite possibly toward the GOP."<ref>Stuart Rothenberg, "All Signs Point to Another Top-Notch Election Cycle in 2010," ''Roll Call'' Sept. 8, 2009] </ref>

==Senate==

==Senate==

The top Senate races are:<ref>See [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/ for daily updates</ref>

The top Senate races are:<ref>See [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/ for daily updates]</ref>

*1 Connecticut Democrat  

*1 Connecticut Democrat  

*10 Delaware Open (now Democrat)  

*10 Delaware Open (now Democrat)  

==Governors==

==Governors==

The top races for governorships, and the parties now in power, are:<ref>See [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/ for daily updates</ref>

The top races for governorships, and the parties now in power, are:<ref>See [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/ for daily updates]</ref>

for 2009:

for 2009: