instead of months, weeks and days we're down to hours before america votes. we look at the big races, big issues and the big picture. the battle for independent could reshape the washington power structure. we will tell you about the ballot issues that could have ripple effects across the nation. millions of you all over the nation are preparing to get up early, skip lunch or stand in line after work and vote tuesday. candidates are squeezing in their last hours of campaigning today. here is gallup's final generic ballot poll showing republicans with a 15-point lead among likely voters. rasmussen's ballot effort reflects a 12-point lead and that mirrors the fox polling that gives republicans a 13-point cushion. for some historical perspective, before the midterm election in 1994, republicans led democrats by seven points in the egeneric ballot among likely voters. that year the g.o.p. picked up