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US parties' final push for votes US parties' final push for votes
(about 5 hours later)
Republicans and Democrats have sent thousands of volunteers to the most contested US states to canvass support ahead of Tuesday's mid-term elections.Republicans and Democrats have sent thousands of volunteers to the most contested US states to canvass support ahead of Tuesday's mid-term elections.
President George W Bush is rallying support in the southern states of Florida, Texas and Arkansas on Monday. President George W Bush has been rallying support in the southern states of Florida, Texas and Arkansas.
Democrats, whose lead has narrowed in recent opinion polls, are focusing on Iraq, saying Republicans have blindly followed Bush's "failed policy". Democrats, whose lead has narrowed in final opinion polls, are focusing on Iraq, saying Republicans have blindly followed Bush's "failed policy".
Democrats hope to win control of at least one of the Houses of Congress.Democrats hope to win control of at least one of the Houses of Congress.
BBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE Come back for full Senate, House and Governor results as they break, plus expert comment and analysis Results map Reporters' blog Have your sayBBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE Come back for full Senate, House and Governor results as they break, plus expert comment and analysis Results map Reporters' blog Have your say
The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says that although the mid-terms are essentially a series of local elections, the president's low approval ratings and the high number of recent US casualties in Iraq have made many races less predictable. Addressing Republicans in Florida on Monday, President Bush said: "I knew we were going to finish strong. Republicans are going to turn out and it's going to be a great victory."
But the Republicans have been campaigning hard and may have had a boost in recent days, he adds. The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the president is making a late but vigorous effort to persuade Americans that continued Republican control of Congress is vital, and it does seem likely that the party will keep hold of the Senate at least.
Recent opinion polls suggest the Democrats will pick up seats, and that the Iraq war and the president himself are unpopular.
But the final polls also suggest a slight gain in Republican fortunes and that gain could result in the president's party rescuing its fortunes at the last minute, our correspondent adds.
Hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots, taking advantage of an early voting system.Hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots, taking advantage of an early voting system.
Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia allow in-person voting before election day in certain cases - either at a voting machine or by absentee ballot.Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia allow in-person voting before election day in certain cases - either at a voting machine or by absentee ballot.
However, turnout on Tuesday is not expected to be above 40%, and both parties are spending the last day trying to ensure their supporters are motivated to vote.However, turnout on Tuesday is not expected to be above 40%, and both parties are spending the last day trying to ensure their supporters are motivated to vote.
'Courage and skill' 'A world better off'
Iraq has dominated the campaign season. Both parties welcomed the death sentence handed down to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on Sunday. The war in Iraq has dominated much of the campaign. Both parties welcomed the death sentence handed down to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on Sunday.
However, US policy in Iraq has been heavily criticised in an editorial published in an influential military journal on Monday. My decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision, and the world is better off for it President Bush
The Republicans say if the Democrats win control of Congress they will pull out of Iraq prematurely, while the Democrats have attacked what they say are Mr Bush's failed policies in Iraq.
"My decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision, and the world is better off for it," Mr Bush said to crowds of supporters in Florida on Monday.
"The only way we will not win is if we leave before the job is done. If you listen for the plan from the Democrats, there isn't one," he said.
However, US policy in Iraq has been heavily criticised in an editorial published in an influential military journal.
The Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times said Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the architect of the Iraq campaign, had "lost credibility with the uniformed leadership".The Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times said Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the architect of the Iraq campaign, had "lost credibility with the uniformed leadership".
Mr Bush says Saddam Hussein's sentence is a landmarkIt urged President George W Bush to install a replacement at the Pentagon. It urged President George W Bush to install a replacement at the Pentagon.
Mr Bush is canvassing support in three southern states on Monday, a fifth successive day on the campaign trail in areas judged vulnerable by Republican pollsters.
On Sunday he spoke in Nebraska, saying the verdict of execution against Saddam Hussein was a "landmark event".
He urged his audience to thank "the men and women of America's armed forces" for their courage and skill, without which the "verdict would never have happened".
The Republicans have regularly accused the Democrats of cowardice over Iraq, saying the party is not prepared to take the risks necessary to make the US secure.
The Democrats say they want a "new direction" to Iraq.The Democrats say they want a "new direction" to Iraq.
Correspondents say the Democratic party could push to investigate the Bush administration preparations for the Iraq war and there are also those within the party who want to impeach the president for allegedly misleading Congress about Iraq's weapons programmes. Correspondents say the Democratic party could push to investigate the Bush administration preparations for the war and there are also those within the party who want to impeach the president for allegedly misleading Congress about Iraq's weapons programmes.
A third of the Senate, the whole House of Representatives and 36 governorships are up for election on 7 November.A third of the Senate, the whole House of Representatives and 36 governorships are up for election on 7 November.
The Democrats need to pick up six seats to gain control of the Senate, and 15 House seats to have a majority there.The Democrats need to pick up six seats to gain control of the Senate, and 15 House seats to have a majority there.