Future of Obama’s agenda hangs in the balance

John Whitesides reports from Washington ahead of House of Representatives and Senate elections

REPUBLICANS are in the final days of a bitter election campaign as heavy favourites to win control of the House of Representatives and score big Senate gains, dealing a severe blow to President Barack Obama two years after he entered the White House.

A thirst for change in Washington and worries about the stumbling economy appear likely to break Democrats’ grip on Congress next Tuesday, in a potential rout that would topple House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from power.