Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

ALBANY, GA -- With polls showing Republicans poised for big gains in Tuesday’s midterms, candidates at Monday’s rally at Henry Tift Myers Airport were all smiles.

Outgoing Governor Sonny Perdue sees a rising tide for his party.

"The independents have swung strongly to the GOP ticket," said Perdue. "And the intensity level – those people who are really fired up about making a change and restoring trust in government are also going to the GOP."  

The Republican hoping to succeed Perdue, former Congressman Nathan Deal, says he’s also optimistic about the election.

"We feel very good about it," said Deal. "We think the polls have indicated that our numbers are growing and we believe momentum is on our side."

If the polls and pundits are correct, Republicans will most likely win control of the U.S. House, dramatically narrow the gap in the Senate, and hold at least 30 governorships.

Even though President Obama’s name will not appear on Tuesday’s ballot, it’s clear that Republican candidates believe that the election will serve as a referendum on his policies.

"I think the citizens of America are truly having buyer’s remorse about the decisions they made in 2008," said Perdue.

Senator Johnny Isakson, predicted to easily win re-election on Tuesday, agrees.

"President Obama ran on hope and change but for two years, we’ve had increased unemployment – it’s gone from 8 million to 10 million unemployed," said Isakson. "We’ve had increased financial difficulties."

Deal, meanwhile, stuck with a message that sounded at least as much anti-Obama as anti-Roy Barnes.

"I’m the one’s that gonna cut taxes and he’s the one that’s gonna raise them," said Deal. "I’m the one who’s gonna make government smaller and more efficient and he’s the one talking about spending billions of new dollars expanding state government."

Make sure to follow the lastest on election day coverage in our Politics section.