America at a Crossroads.

Which party will control Congress after the midterm elections?

For six years, Republicans have controlled the White House and both houses of Congress. But Democrats are hoping for a comeback in this fall's midterm elections.

As the November 7 Election Day approaches, Republican incumbents (current office holders) are nervous. Why? The public's confidence in President George W. Bush, a Republican, is at an all-time low. According to recent polls, fewer than 40 percent of Americans think that he is doing a good job. Also, history shows that Americans like balance in government. When a President is halfway through his first or second term, voters often put the opposing party in control of Congress.

"Bugged Pretty Badly"

The war in Iraq accounts for only some of the President's popularity problems. Political analyst Charles Cook cites "a million different things" to explain Americans' discontent. Cook points out that the President has overspent the federal budget, putting the country deep into debt. People are unhappy with the federal government's slow response to Hurricane Katrina, and the price of gas has increased over the past year. "Not all of these things bug every single person," Cook says. "Different ones bug different people. But, you know, two thirds of the American people are bugged pretty badly right now."

President Bush is not up for re-election. But a President's popularity--or lack of it--can affect members of his or her party at election time.

In recent months, the President has repeatedly defended his administration's policies. He also has defended one of his most controversial decisions--to invade Iraq. "Some politicians look at our efforts in Iraq and see a diversion from the war on terror," the President said recently. "That would come as news to Osama bin Laden, who proclaimed that the Third World War is raging in Iraq."

A New Direction?

The G.O.P. * has held a majority in Congress for almost all of the last 12 years. That has given President Bush a lot of heft. Virtually every time he has asked something of Congress, he knew he could count on both houses to vote in his favor.

But polls point to Americans wanting a new direction. Many political analysts say that voters will put the brakes on the President by voting Democratic. "Democrats are attempting to seize the moment," says journalist Gwen I fill. "(They) are actively coveting the six seats they need to win back the Senate, and the 15 seats they need to claim the House."

Republicans say that will not happen. Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the House majority leader, predicts, "I can see us losing a seat or two. But I don't see us losing our majority at all."

Who is right? You'll have to wait until election night, November 7, to find out.

* stands for Grand Old Party, a nickname for the Republican Party.