None of the candidates from the Finance Committee are in jeopardy, Powell Goldstein's Julius Hobson told members of the National Association for the Support of Long Term Care earlier this month, but four close House races involve members on Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce health subcommittees and Appropriations HHS subcommittees.

Democrats stand to benefit politically from the unpopular war in Iraq and a stalled effort to reauthorize the State Children's Health Care Program, he added.

Bottom line: Democrats will pick up between three and six Senate seats and between eight and 15 House seats, Hobson predicts.

Sens. Wayne Allard (R-CO) is retiring and John Sununu (R-NH) remains vulnerable, and Hobson told NASL members that these seats are likely to turn blue next year.