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A tough final two years for Obama if Republicans win Senate

Friday, October 31, 2014 - 01:51

The balance of power in Congress could shift when voters cast ballots November 4th in U.S. midterm elections, which are seen as referendum on Obama presidency. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

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TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS~**PART CBS - NO BROADCAST USE WORLDWIDE, NO ACCESS AUSTRALIA BROADCASTER WEBSITES. NO ACCESS JAPAN. NO ACCESS ABC AMERICA, FOX, UNIVISION, TELEMUNDO, BBC AMERICA, NBC, OR THEIR DIGITAL/MOBILE PLATFORMS.** U.S. President Barack Obama makes a rare campaign stop in the run up to the Midterm elections November 4th. In many ways, analysts say, it is a verdict on his administration. He underscores his accomplishments. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING: "Over the past four and a half years our businesses have created more than 10 million new jobs. For the first time in six years unemployment is below six percent. The housing market that was reeling is now rebounding. The auto industry that was wheezing is now roaring back. " But it is a record even some Democrats are shying away from, like Alison Lundergan Grimes, who is trying to unseat Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell. While voters will cast ballots for all 435 seats in the House, and 36 seats in the Senate, the focus on is less than a dozen Senate races that could determine who controls the Senate, says Darryl West of the Brookings Institution. (SOUNDBITE) (English) DARRELL WEST, VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF GOVERNANCE STUDIES AT THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION, SAYING: "There are a number of key Senate races. I think everyone is paying attention to Iowa and Colorado. People are interested in what is going to happen in Alaska. Arkansas and Louisiana seem very competitive and North Carolina is also a state that is in play." So far it looks like Republicans have the edge. (SOUNDBITE) (English) DARRELL WEST, VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF GOVERNANCE STUDIES AT THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION SAYING: "Republicans seem to be in pretty good shape to get at least five seats, which would end up in a 50 - 50 Senate. But they also have the possibility of getting that sixth seat which would give them outright majority control." Run-off elections are possible in two important states, Louisiana and Georgia, which means even on election night it might not be clear whether Republicans will succeed.