With less than 40 days to go until the elections to determine would will control the House and the Senate, Democrats suddenly face a map with unexpected opportunities.  In Virginia, a state that was thought to be a shoe in for Senator George Allen, Republican, looks vulnerable after a series of controversies over his racial views.  In Tennessee, a state that was to be considered safe for Republicans, the Democratic challenger, Harold Ford Jr., has kept to race particularly close.  Elsewhere, Democratic challengers are either neck and neck or in a close tie in five states help by Republicans: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Montana, Rhode Island, and Missouri.

Senator George Allen (R-Va.) led his Democrat challenger, Jim Webb by 17 points six weeks ago.  Now he and his challenger are in a virtual dead heat for the seat.  Allen's lead vanished after he singled out an American student of Indian descent who works for his opponent calling his a North African racial slur "macaca".  More recently, he has been accused of using other racial slurs toward blacks calling them the "N" word.

Democrats would have to win six Republican seats on election night to regain a majority, meaning they would have to win nearly every close race.  Still, a shift in the Senate was always considered to be a long shot for the Democrats this year.  There is no doubt that the Democrats will shorten the current divide with Republicans holding 55 of the seats, Democrats holding 44 seats, 1 seat held by an Independent that sides with the Democrats.

The House is looking more optimistic for the Democrats.  The current break down in the House is Republicans holding 230 seats, Democrats with 201 seats, 1 seat held by an Independent and 3 seats are currently vacant.  The three vacant seats come from New Jersey's 13th district since January 16, 2006, Texas's 22nd district vacant since June 9, 2006, and Florida's 16th district vacant since September 29, 2006.  Even though the Democrats need to pick up 15 seats, this is less of a challenge than that of the Senate.

The ultimate way to speak out against your government is to get out and vote.  Remember, National elections for 2006 will be held on November 7th, and I would like to urge each and everyone of you to go and cast your ballot.