Partly because of how poorly things are going for Barack Obama in the White House, there are literally dozens of seats which could go either way in the House of Representatives.
Colorado's 3rd - Right to bear arms
John Salazar, the Democrat brother of interior secretary Ken Salazar, has the backing of the National Rifle Association in his rematch with Republican Scott Tipton. This one could go either way, with widespread dissatisfaction with the Democrats in Washington.
Colorado's 4th - First timer failings
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Incumbents doing as badly as first time Democrat Betsy Markey are in trouble. In a district divided between college towns and farming towns, she's facing Republican Cory Gardner, who, like her, saw an increase in funding after she voted for the healthcare bill. Likely to fall to the Reps.
Florida's 2nd – Healthcare trouble
As in Florida's 24th, a Dem has voted for healthcare reform, and finds trouble ahead. Conservative Democrat Allen Boyd now finds himself in trouble after scraping through a primary, in a sign of the discontent at what has been branded 'Obamacare'. He's facing a real struggle to hold on in the face of funeral-home owner Steve Southerland, with a focus on keeping federal purse strings tight.
Illinois's 10th - Eye on Israel
Israeli relations have become a priority for both candidates in this real toss-up, thanks to this suburban area's strong Jewish population. Local lad Barack Obama won convincingly in 2008, but with the current representative running for the Senate, Republican Robert Dold has a chance of ramming home the anti-healthcare message and defeating Democrat Dan Seals.Washintgon and therefore part of the problem.
Iowa's 3rd - Too close to the President
Stimulus – Leonard L Boswell is a seven-term incumbent congressman, but he's in trouble over his support of the stimulus programme, healthcare reform, and cap and trade climate action. Republican Brad Zaun, former state senator, says he wants smaller government. This one could go either way.
Louisiana's 2nd - Money in the freezer
$90,000 in the freezer of Democrat William Jefferson helped the first Vietnamese American get elected to Congress a few years back, Republican Joseph Cao. But in majority black, traditionally Democratic turf, the district could be in the minority of those the Dems hope to pick up this time around.
New Hampshire's 2nd - Is Washington the problem?
Too far to the left? Republican Charlie Bass is seeking the return of a seat he lost in 2006. He says Democratic nominee Anna Kuster is too left-wing, even in this Democratic district. For her part, Kuster is trying the Tea Party trick in branding Bass the incumbent from Washington.
Ohio's 16th - Job losses
Democrat incumbent John Boccieri is in a real fight to hold on to his seat in a region hit hard by job losses. He's accused Republican challenger Jim Renacci of supporting tax breaks for US companies that go overseas, while Renacci has attacked on the issue of healthcare, and climate bills.
Pennsylvania's 3rd - Abortion and Obamacare
Incumbent Kathy Dahlkemper is a Democratic pro-lifer who's come under fire from anti-abortion groups for supporting the healthcare overhaul. A conservative district which Obama won in 2008, Dahlkemper, like other conservative Democrats, may pay the price and lose her seat to car dealer Mike Kelly.
Texas 17th - Independent minded?
Centrist Democrats are taking care. Chet Edwards in Texas 17 might be wishing he wasn't touted as a running mate for President Obama. Edwards' recent TV ad declares 'when President Obama and Nancy Pelosi pressured Chet Edwards, Chet stood up to them and voted 'no' against their trillion-dollar health care bill, and no to cap-and-trade.” But it might not be enough to stave off Republican challenger Bill Flores.
