NOTE:  an independent is a voter who does not have long-standing loyalty to, or identification with, a political party; an independent does not usually vote for the same political party from election to election.

1.  a) How many seats do Republicans need to win to become the majority party in the House of Representatives?
b)  How many are they expected to win?
c)  How many seats do Republicans need to win to take the majority in the Senate?

2.  According to the latest WSJ/NBC News poll, how has independent voter support for Democrats changed since President Obama was elected in 2008?

3.  Why do political strategists believe independents are swinging their support to the right?

4.  In what two states are long-time Democratic congressmen facing the possibility of losing their seats? (name the congressmen and their opponents)

5.  In what states are Republicans candidates for Senate favored to win (or in a close race with) their Democratic opponents?

6.  Ask a parent or grandparent what he/she thinks is the reason why Republicans might win the majority in both houses of Congress in Tuesday's elections.