JOIN USObama has kept up a frenzied pace of campaigning nationwide as he tries to invigorate the Democratic base, fearing the voters who swept him into the White House two years ago will not participate in this election without him on the ballot. Obama would not face voters again until 2012.
This year's election with Republicans, their tea party allies and many independents angry and blaming Obama for the country's continuing economic malaise will decide contests for all 435 seats in the House, 37 places in the 100-member Senate and 37 state governorships.
With a takeover in the House virtually assured, Republicans also are forecast to make significant gains in the Senate but fall short of capturing a 51 seat majority. Their prospects are even better in the governor's races.
With the 50 states preparing to draw new congressional district maps after this year's national census, Republican governors will have a major say in that process one that's would strongly favour Republican candidates in 2012.
That reality is guiding many of Obama's appearances in the final days of the November 2 election campaign and is especially evident in Ohio.