Cook Report: "No Ebb in the Wave"

Comparing the 2006 mid-terms to the 1994 route of Republicans wielding laminated "Contract with America" cards, Charlie Cook of The Cook Political Report predicts good things for Democrats next week:

With the election just eight days away, there are no signs that this wave is abating. Barring a dramatic event, we are looking at the prospect of GOP losses in the House of at least 20 to 35 seats, possibly more, and at least four in the Senate, with five or six most likely.

If independents vote in fairly low numbers, as is customary in midterm elections, losses in the House will be on the lower end of that range. But if they turn out at a higher than normal level, their strong preference for Democrats in most races would likely push the GOP House losses to or above the upper levels.