"The likelihood is that the Democrats will pick up a few seats in the Senate, but not enough to wrest control from the Republicans, " Georgetown University analyst Stephen Wayne said.

CNN: Carnahan's death shakes Democrats' Senate hopes

"One of the statistics that's interesting about this election is the high proportion of the electorate that is identifying itself as independent, " says Stephen Wayne, a government professor at Georgetown University.

NPR: 2012: Economy, GOP Set Tone Of Presidential Race

Most attention focussed on the duo of Wayne Swan and Stephen Smith, both from the right, who will handle the crucial issues of economic policy and industrial relations.

ECONOMIST: Labor's defeat has unleashed an internal war

Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones, Dragons lock Luke Charteris and scrum-half Wayne Evans all withdrew with back injuries, but all three Wales contenders are thought to be just a few days from fitness.

BBC: Scarlets 18-3 Dragons