From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

National issues and local elections.

Hello again, I'm Mormon Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues, Americans care about most.

Less than a week before the midterm elections, there's trouble ahead for Republicans,

according to nationwide polls. But control of the next Congress will depend on local voting

for Senate seats in 33 states and House seats in 435 different districts.

On to the point, we'll take a look at some close races in the east, the west, and the central part of the country.

Is the war in Iraq the defining issue?

Despite dwindling support nationwide, can President Bush still make a difference?

Are the candidates addressing the issues their constituents want to hear about most?

What are prospective voters seeing on TV?

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica

and from the Public Radio International Program Fund,

whose contributors include the Ford Foundation

and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Warren, I'll be back with To the Point. Nationwide polls spell trouble for Republicans,

but control of the House and the Senate will depend on local voting. On To the Point,

we'll look at some close races around the country. How important is the war in Iraq? Are candidates

addressing the issues voters want to hear about most? Can President Bush still make a difference?

First, this news update, 15 people including the sheriff of Henry County and 12 deputies,

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