Economy adds to Obama election gloom

A series of gloomy US economic reports released today, just days before congressional elections, are expected to contribute to big losses by President Barack Obama's Democrats.

Voters unhappy with the country's slow recovery from the recession are likely to punish the party, costing them control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. All 435 House seats and 37 of the 100 Senate seats are up for grabs on Tuesday.