国际英语新闻：U.S. Republican leader says GOP set to gain in mid-term elections

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The leading Republican in U.S. House of Representatives on Sunday said Republicans are set for big gains in the mid-term elections.

House minority leader John Boehner told CBS' "Face the Nation" that the GOP has "great candidates across the country and we have a great opportunity" in the Fall elections. However, he admitted regaining control of the House is "still an uphill fight."

Poll results have favored the Republicans recently. After the traditional campaign kick-off Labor Day weekend earlier this month, polls have suggested Republicans could regain control of the House from Democrats.

The President's party usually suffers in mid-term elections. With the economy still in bad shape and unemployment figures high, Democrats are bracing for a rough time in the Fall.

Democrats including President Barack Obama have been branding the GOP as the "Party of No." Boehner defended his party by saying Democrats in the House and Senate "haven't reached out to us for the last 20 months. It's not Republican standing in the way here."