It has been nearly two years since the 2008 US Congressional election which saw the Democrats take control of Congress and Barack Obama claim the presidency over the Republican Party which had been in power for the previous eight years. This November's mid-term elections will offer the Republicans and Tea Party supporters the opportunity to reclaim some power in the US. Primaries have already begun throughout the country and a variety of issues which are sure to take centre stage in the lead up to November have started affecting election results.