As weary Americans cast their ballots in the most expensive US Congressional elections, a 'Poll of Polls' has forecast bad news for India-bound President Barack Obama, saying his Democratic party would be trailing behind the Republicans.
A CNN 'Poll of Polls' compiled and released on the eve of the polls indicated that 51 per cent of likely voters would choose a Republican candidate for Congress. Forty-three per cent likely voters say they would choose a Democrat.
This newest edition of the CNN 'Poll of Polls' is an average of six national polls conducted during the last week of October and released on Sunday and yesterday -- CNN/Opinion Dynamics (10/27-30), Pew Research Centre (10/27-30), NBC News/Wall Street Journal (10/28-30), USA Today/Gallup (10/28-31), ABC News/Washington Post (10/25-28) and Reuters-Ipsos (10/28-31). The Poll of Polls does not have a sampling error, CNN reported on its website.
The generic ballot question asks respondents if they would vote for a Democrat or Republican in their Congressional district, without naming any specific candidates.
On election eve, the Republicans are ahead of Democrats by eight points when voters are asked which candidate they would choose for Congress. The margin between Democrats and Republicans has doubled since the last CNN Poll of Polls, compiled three days ago, the report said.
With all predictions, the election is considered a referendum on both the Democratic-controlled Congress and Obama's first two years in office. Polls indicate a dissatisfied electorate could radically change the complexion of the 435-member House of Representatives by tossing out the Democratic majority and possibly doing the same in the Senate.
High unemployment of 9.6 per cent amid a slow recovery from economic recession has been the dominant issue during the long and bitter campaigning, with Republicans accusing Obama and Democrats of pushing through expensive policies.
Obama has defended his record, saying steps such as the economic stimulus bill and auto industry bailout were necessary to prevent a depression, while health care reform and Wall Street reform will lay the foundation for sustainable future growth of the world's most developed nation.
Obama will embark on his maiden visit to India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan on November six, days after he will know the outcome of the polls. The election will cost more than US $ 3.5 billion -- the most expensive non-presidential vote ever, according to the nonpartisan Centre for Responsive Politics, a watchdog group.
The voting will involve all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 37 of the 100 Senate seats, along with almost 40 gubernatorial ones.
