"We're saying it's way too expensive to fly long-haul today, and we're doing something about it, " he says.

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So in that way, it does certainly help the Democrats over the Republicans, but it's a long way between now and the 2006 elections and it's just too early to say what role Bush or the national issues have or will have on local races.

NPR: Slate's Politics: GOP Losses in Off-Year Vote

"It's a long way for people to travel if they are ill to go to Stoke now - it's too much, " she said.

BBC: Patients who use Stafford Hospital