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US mid-terms at-a-glance: 1 November US mid-terms at-a-glance: 1 November
(about 1 hour later)
All you need to know in the final week before the US mid-term elections, with news of key races, issues, quotes and pictures.All you need to know in the final week before the US mid-term elections, with news of key races, issues, quotes and pictures.
Campaign catch-up Key quotes Numbers of note Key races countdown Headlines round-up Image of the dayCampaign catch-up Key quotes Numbers of note Key races countdown Headlines round-up Image of the day
CAMPAIGN CATCH-UP CAMPAIGN CATCH-UP
The Iraq war continued to dominate campaigning on Tuesday, fuelled by a faux pas by former Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry which sparked a fierce exchange of fire.The Iraq war continued to dominate campaigning on Tuesday, fuelled by a faux pas by former Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry which sparked a fierce exchange of fire.
WATCH OUT FOR: We look at how anti-war feeling is playing into the campaign of Iraq veteran Tammy Duckworth Iraq vet's mid-term battleWATCH OUT FOR: We look at how anti-war feeling is playing into the campaign of Iraq veteran Tammy Duckworth Iraq vet's mid-term battle
President George W Bush, on his second visit to Georgia, demanded the senator apologise to US troops for his comments that students who failed to study hard would "get stuck in Iraq".President George W Bush, on his second visit to Georgia, demanded the senator apologise to US troops for his comments that students who failed to study hard would "get stuck in Iraq".
Mr Kerry, who insisted the remark was a botched joke at Mr Bush's expense, instead attacked the Republicans for a "crazy" distortion of what he had said.Mr Kerry, who insisted the remark was a botched joke at Mr Bush's expense, instead attacked the Republicans for a "crazy" distortion of what he had said.
Despite Mr Bush's efforts to stir up his party, the Democrats appear quietly confident with less than a week to go to the elections, US media commentators say. However, Democratic leaders have warned party officials against predicting victory ahead of the vote.Despite Mr Bush's efforts to stir up his party, the Democrats appear quietly confident with less than a week to go to the elections, US media commentators say. However, Democratic leaders have warned party officials against predicting victory ahead of the vote.
An unusual number of races for House and Senate remain competitive and both parties are pouring millions of dollars into late-stage television advertising.An unusual number of races for House and Senate remain competitive and both parties are pouring millions of dollars into late-stage television advertising.
However, the Republicans have scaled back campaign ads in high-profile battles in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania - signalling a strategic retreat - even as the Democrats expand their advertising into areas traditionally viewed as Republican.However, the Republicans have scaled back campaign ads in high-profile battles in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania - signalling a strategic retreat - even as the Democrats expand their advertising into areas traditionally viewed as Republican.
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KEY QUOTES KEY QUOTES
They answered our country's call because they're patriots and not because of any deficiencies in their education Republican Senator and fellow Vietnam veteran John McCain, calling on Mr Kerry to apologise to US troopsThey answered our country's call because they're patriots and not because of any deficiencies in their education Republican Senator and fellow Vietnam veteran John McCain, calling on Mr Kerry to apologise to US troops
We did not face World War II alone, we did not face the Cold War alone, and we cannot face the global terrorist threat or other profound challenges alone eitherDemocratic New York Senator Hillary Clinton, calling for the US to return to multi-lateral diplomacy in a speech to an influential foreign policy think tankWe did not face World War II alone, we did not face the Cold War alone, and we cannot face the global terrorist threat or other profound challenges alone eitherDemocratic New York Senator Hillary Clinton, calling for the US to return to multi-lateral diplomacy in a speech to an influential foreign policy think tank
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NUMBERS OF NOTE NUMBERS OF NOTE
The Republican Party is struggling to win over black voters, according to an AP-AOL-News poll, despite its efforts to reach out to minority groups.The Republican Party is struggling to win over black voters, according to an AP-AOL-News poll, despite its efforts to reach out to minority groups.
Bush approval rating trackerBush approval rating tracker
Among likely black voters, 89% disapprove of President George W Bush, compared with 61% of likely voters among the population in general, the figures suggest.Among likely black voters, 89% disapprove of President George W Bush, compared with 61% of likely voters among the population in general, the figures suggest.
The poll found about two-fifths of likely black voters are angry with the Bush administration, while one-fifth are angry with the Republicans in Congress.The poll found about two-fifths of likely black voters are angry with the Bush administration, while one-fifth are angry with the Republicans in Congress.
Unhappiness over the war in Iraq may be feeding their concerns. More than 80% of black likely voters say the US made a mistake in going to war in Iraq, compared with 60% of all those likely to vote.Unhappiness over the war in Iraq may be feeding their concerns. More than 80% of black likely voters say the US made a mistake in going to war in Iraq, compared with 60% of all those likely to vote.
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KEY RACES COUNTDOWN KEY RACES COUNTDOWN
Controversy surrounded the Virginia race on Tuesday after footage was captured of a student who questioned Senator George Allen at a campaign appearance being wrestled to the ground by Mr Allen's supporters.Controversy surrounded the Virginia race on Tuesday after footage was captured of a student who questioned Senator George Allen at a campaign appearance being wrestled to the ground by Mr Allen's supporters.
HAVE YOUR SAY While the Democrats do have strong momentum, I believe they may be over-confident in the numbers Patrick Paige, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Send us your comments
The student, a liberal blogger, said he was entitled to ask questions as a constituent. Mr Allen's team said he had been aggressive. A poll conducted before the clash showed Mr Allen - who had to apologise for an alleged racial slur early in campaigning - falling slightly behind Democrat challenger Jim Webb.The student, a liberal blogger, said he was entitled to ask questions as a constituent. Mr Allen's team said he had been aggressive. A poll conducted before the clash showed Mr Allen - who had to apologise for an alleged racial slur early in campaigning - falling slightly behind Democrat challenger Jim Webb.
In Ohio, surveys suggest Senator Mike DeWine is losing ground to Democrat challenger Sherrod Brown, while in Pennsylvania, Republican Senator Rick Santorum is struggling to catch Democrat Bob Casey. Polls in New Jersey show the Democratic incumbent picking up a slight lead.In Ohio, surveys suggest Senator Mike DeWine is losing ground to Democrat challenger Sherrod Brown, while in Pennsylvania, Republican Senator Rick Santorum is struggling to catch Democrat Bob Casey. Polls in New Jersey show the Democratic incumbent picking up a slight lead.
The race for Missouri's Senate seat remains a dead heat, with Republican Senator Jim Talent fighting rival Claire McCaskill all the way to the wire.The race for Missouri's Senate seat remains a dead heat, with Republican Senator Jim Talent fighting rival Claire McCaskill all the way to the wire.
Elsewhere the fight is not going all the Democrats' way. Recent polls show Republican candidate Michael Steele gaining ground on rival Ben Cardin in the race for Maryland's Senate seat. And in Tennessee, Republican Bob Corker has a lead of several points over Democrat Harold Ford Jr, a CNN survey suggests.Elsewhere the fight is not going all the Democrats' way. Recent polls show Republican candidate Michael Steele gaining ground on rival Ben Cardin in the race for Maryland's Senate seat. And in Tennessee, Republican Bob Corker has a lead of several points over Democrat Harold Ford Jr, a CNN survey suggests.
For more, see our state-by-state map.For more, see our state-by-state map.
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Headlines round-up Headlines round-up
New York Times: As vote nears, stances on war set off sparksNew York Times: As vote nears, stances on war set off sparks
Washington Post: Campaigner in chief has limited reachWashington Post: Campaigner in chief has limited reach
Richmond Times Dispatch: Senate race flares emotionsRichmond Times Dispatch: Senate race flares emotions
For more commentary, see our mid-terms blog.For more commentary, see our mid-terms blog.
IMAGE OF THE DAY IMAGE OF THE DAY
George W Bush lost no time in attacking his former presidential rival John Kerry over a faux pas on the Iraq warGeorge W Bush lost no time in attacking his former presidential rival John Kerry over a faux pas on the Iraq war
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To get the latest mid-terms at-a-glance news each day, bookmark this page.To get the latest mid-terms at-a-glance news each day, bookmark this page.