Demos lead in many pivotal races

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats hold solid leads for four of the six Republican seats they need to capture the Senate and about 10 of 15 required to win the House, according to officials in both parties. Numerous additional races remain highly competitive.

After two weeks of adverse publicity linked to the Mark Foley scandal, public and private polling suggested partial recovery for some endangered Republican incumbents, and senior party officials made a concerted effort to project confidence.

"By many measures, there are strong indications of a right-of-center base that is engaged and committed," party chairman Ken Mehlman said Friday in a memo written for public consumption.

The assertion was a response to independent polls that show disapproval of President Bush's policies, including on the Iraq war, and discontent with Congress have made Democrats more eager to vote on Nov. 7 than Republicans.

At the same time, Democrats said unexpected opportunities for gains keep coming their way — including House races in Minnesota, Idaho and Nevada — and they have the money needed to battle Republicans to the end.

"We have enough to play defense in the blue states and offense in the red states," said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who heads the Democratic senatorial committee.

After months of stockpiling their millions, candidates and the parties are spending freely in the final days before Election Day.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has spent more than $3 million to hold the seat of Ohio Rep. Bob Ney. Ney, who recently pleaded guilty to corruption charges, has yet to resign, but is not seeking a new term.

The GOP has invested more than $8 million into the Philadelphia suburbs and a northeast Pennsylvania district, where Republican Reps. Michael Fitzpatrick, Curt Weldon, Jim Gerlach and Don Sherwood face strong challenges. Democrats have put in nearly $7 million.

In Connecticut, GOP Reps. Chris Shays, Nancy Johnson and Rob Simmons face difficult challenges, although Republicans hope that Sen. Joseph Lieberman's independent candidacy will help them.

By contrast, Republicans have few opportunities to take away House or Senate seats belonging to Democrats. Georgia, where the GOP is aiming at two House seats, is one such case.