Republicans poised for big mid-term gains

Republicans were last night on course to make major gains and possibly recapture control of the US Senate in mid-term elections that could serve as a public referendum on President Barack Obama’s job performance.

Millions of Americans yesterday cast ballots to elect 36 senators, 36 governors and all 435 members of the House of Representatives in campaigns influenced by Obama’s low job approval rating — 40% — partisan gridlock in Washington and a US economy not growing widely enough to help many in the middle class.

Republicans were expected to pick up seats in the US Senate, but polls show eight to 10 races are still toss-ups and it is unclear whether they can gain the six seats they need to control the 100-member chamber for the first time since the 2006 election.