ONCE, California Democrats led the way to a year of the women. Now, nearly two decades later, Republicans hope that it’s their turn.

President George Bush, head bowed in prayer, today opened an ambitious second term in which he boldly promises to spark democracy in the Middle East and reshape state pension plans.

The US is braced for more polling day mayhem this week as technical glitches threaten to turn the crucial mid-term vote into a repeat of the 2000 presidential election fiasco.