Welcome. This is Anastasia Yuglova bringing you the Cato Daily Podcast.

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November 7th election day.

Some see it as a referendum on the Bush administration and others predict just more of the

same.

I'm sitting down with Director of Government Affairs Brandon Arnold and Director

of Budget Studies Stephen Slavinsky, who offers some sobering analysis of what and whom this day may bring

to Washington and to America.

Brandon, with only 30 truly competitive seats in the house,

what's really at stake today?

Well, you're right. There are only about 30 seats that are still in the toss-up category or in a competitive

category at this point in the House. But right now the Democrats need to pick up

15 seats to take control of the House of Representatives so they are within

striking range,

and this could be an opportunity for them to pick up

not only control of the House, but also control of the Senate,

where they just need to take over six seats

currently held by the Republicans.

And where are those most heavily contested seats right now?

They are scattered all over the country, oddly enough.

There's competitive seats from coast to coast.

...