Bush big factor in congressional elections | US News | Reuters.com

Bush big factor in congressional elections | US News | Reuters.com: "DALLAS (Reuters) - President George W. Bush won re-election in 2004 cast as a strong wartime leader, but in this year's congressional races his handling of the Iraq war has given many voters a reason to vote against Republicans.

Bush's Republicans are fighting to keep their control of the U.S. Congress, but polls and analysts suggest Democrats could capture the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.

Republicans have sought to keep the focus on individual races, the war on terrorism and the economy rather than Bush, but Democrats appear to be gaining ground in their attempts to capitalize on the unpopularity among voters of the Iraq war.

'We have such a big mess in Washington. Bush is terrible and Iraq was a disaster,' said 56-year-old Bill Caster of Kansas City, Missouri.

'It's time for a change. I want to fire every Republican in Washington,' said Caster, who described himself as a political independent in a battleground state where Republican incumbent Sen. Jim Talent is fighting a strong challenge from Democratic state Auditor Claire McCaskill.

Analysts say it all comes down to Iraq." Read complete post here.