Democrats Rev Up Campaign Events, Republicans Expect Victory

Nov. 1, 2010— -- Democrats have pulled out all the stops a day before an election in which Republicans expect big wins.

The GOP needs to pick up 39 seats to regain a House majority and 10 to take power in the Senate. There are 435 seats at stake in the House and 37 in the Senate.

At least 108 House seats are vulnerable, including 68 seats that either lean Republican or are toss-ups, according to ABC News' race ratings. Republicans are poised to win at least four additional Senate seats, per ABC estimates.

The lastest Gallup poll showed Republicans with a 15-point advantage on the generic ballot.

"I think it's time to move in a different direction. I think the Republican leadership has shown it's ready to listen to the people," Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said on "Good Morning America" today in his first joint appearance with Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine since May 24.

But the work isn't done, even if Republicans take control, Steele said, adding that if the party doesn't live up to Americans' expectations, they may be facing a similar fate as Democrats in two years.

He agreed with former Gov. Jeb Bush, who told the New York Times that "the looming victories for Republican candidates next Tuesday is not a validation of the Republican Party at all."

"I think there's some degree of truth to that," Steele said. "There's a serious concern that the people have, more broadly speaking, about both parties in the direction they lead."

"The Republican party has spent the last 18 months listening to the American people," he added. "We're hoping now for a fresh start with the American people."

Republicans have assailed Obama's major agenda items, including the $787 billion stimulus and the health care law. In an election year dominated by high unemployment and a weak economy, Democrats have put up little fight against assaults on health care and stimulus, with many candidates separating themselves from their party's agenda.

President Obama, who spent all weekend in a multi-state campaign swing to help boost fledgling Democratic candidates, knows Democrats will have to make adjustments in their agenda going forward, Kaine said on "GMA."

"The president is upbeat about the rallies and how they've gone and the energy," Kaine said. "He has a good sense of perspective about the challenge of the midterm elections and about the need to make corrections. You'll see those play out over the course of the new few weeks."

An ABC News/Washington Post poll released today shows that nearly six in 10 registered voters have an unfavorable opinion of Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. But GOP Minority Leader John Boehner, whose name has been circulating as potential Speaker should Republicans regain control of the House, is also more disliked than liked by a 35-to-21 percent margin.

But Kaine also admonished Democrats who have separated themselves from the party's agenda.

"Democrats need to be proud of the president, proud of their accomplishments and proud of the party," he said. "I think Democrats need to do that a little bit more."

Mixed Prospects for Tea Party

Democratic heavyweights such as Obama, former President Bill Clinton and even first lady Michelle Obama have traveled coast to coast in the last month to rally the base, suffering from an enthusiasm gap that has divided Democrats.

Meanwhile, Tea Party fervor has revved up Republicans, from Alaska to New York.

After more than 40 years in public office, Sen. Harry Reid, the most powerful man in the Senate, faces the prospect of losing to Tea Party activist Sharron Angle.

When asked by reporters how Angle holds up compared to his opponents in the past, the Senate majority leader could barely hide his contempt.

"Really, honestly, way at the bottom, but for the economy, there wouldn't be a contest here," said Reid, who represents a state that leads the country in unemployment and foreclosures.

Tea Party candidates across the country are looking at mixed prospects. Republican Senate candidate Ken Buck of Colorado is leading in the polls in the purple state, as is Marco Rubio in Florida and Rand Paul in Kentucky.

But another conservative who rode to victory in primaries on the back of Tea Party support is facing a last-minute uphill fight. Joe Miller, the Senate candidate in Alaska who beat Sen. Lisa Murkowski, is now seeing support from his Republican backers move to the incumbent.

In Delaware, candidate Christine O'Donnell -- who famously pronounced in a TV ad that she is not a witch -- is trailing well behind in the polls to Democrat Chris Coons.

Sarah Palin promised she would campaign for the fledgling candidate but the two haven't made a joint appearance. Palin campaigned with Miller last week in Alaska.

ABC News' Jake Tapper and Jonathan Karl contributed to this report.