Off-Year Elections Will Test Dems' Influence

By Susan Page, USA Today

This time, Democrats are braced for a tough night: Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds trailed Republican Bob McDonnell by double digits in late statewide polls. In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine was neck-and-neck with GOP challenger Chris Christie.

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The White House downplayed the national significance of the off-year elections, but Republicans, including GOP Chairman Michael Steele, portrayed them as referendums on Obama's presidency.

Republican pollster Bill McInturff called the results a potential "predictor" of next year's congressional elections. At a breakfast with reporters hosted by The Christian Science Monitor, he questioned whether Democrats would be able to maintain the voter energy and heightened turnout among blacks, Hispanics and young people that boosted their candidates in 2008.

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