Allegations of voter intimidation and problems with electronic voting machines hampered the crucial US midterm elections today as Americans went to the polls in the battle for control of Congress.

With control of Congress at stake in tomorrow’s elections, US president George Bush campaigned in endangered Republican districts across conservative states while the top congressional Democrat campaigned for her party in the left-leaning North-East.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld did not intimidate members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during planning of the Iraq war as some retired generals have charged, a former chairman said.

Daredevil star Ben Affleck has been eyed for a new role - as a US Senator.

“EVERY time you win, you’re reborn. When you lose, you die a little,” said George Allen, a legendary American football coach who spent 11 years shipping the blows and sucking in the highs with the LA Rams and the Washington Redskins.