Summary
In Louisiana, the contest to replace popular moderate Democratic Senator John Breaux is still very much up in the air. Since Louisiana runs an open election in which all the candidates run in November, a Republican and three Democrats are in the race. If none of the four receives over 50% of the total vote on November 2 (and it appears likely that no one will), the top two finishers will compete in a runoff election the following month. The Republican candidate is Congressman David Vitter and the top two Democrats are Congressman Chris John, an Arab American, and State Treasurer John Kennedy. At present Vitter is leading, but well under 50%, with John and Kennedy running neck and neck. John, who has the endorsement of Senator Breaux, is expected to do well, but the outcome of Louisiana's race will most probably not be determined until December.
In Illinois, State Senator Barack Obama, a young charismatic African American, has electrified the nation and his state with his strong leadership qualities. His keynote address at the Democratic convention established Obama as a future star in national politics. His chances for a victory in November were helped when his early Republican opponent, a wealthy businessman, was forced to withdraw in the midst of a marital scandal. When Illinois Republicans picked, as a replacement, an embarrassing and controversial opponent, Obama's victory was assured. In very Republican Oklahoma, Democratic Congressman Brad Carson, a moderate, has also been helped by a scandal that has plagued his conservative Republican opponent, former Congressman Tom Coburn. The two were running neck and neck, with Coburn having repeatedly hurt himself with ill-tempered comments. But recent revelations of a disturbing medical malpractice case involving fraud have done even more to damage Coburn, a former doctor. Carson now holds a sizable lead.See the full content of this document
Extract
Senate, House Races Could Go Either Way
While all eyes are focused on the race for the White House, it is important to note, as well, that 34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are also being contested in this election year.
Republicans currently maintain control of both houses of Congress, w...See the full content of this document
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