Nine days from the mid term elections and a new poll shows that Republicans are close to realizing their goal of taking over the Senate, but that 5 key races show them barely ahead or tied. An NBC/Marist poll of likely voters has Republicans with small, outright leads in Iowa, Colorado, and Arkansas and in a statistical tie in North Carolina and Kansas. In Colorado’s Senate contest, Republican challenger Cory Gardner holds a one-point lead among likely voters over incumbent Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., 46 percent to 45 percent. Back in September’s NBC/Marist poll, Udall was ahead by six points, 48 percent to 42 percent. In Iowa, Republican Joni Ernst edges Democrat Bruce Braley by three points, 49 percent to 46 percent. Earlier this month, Ernst’s lead was two points, 46 percent to 44 percent. In Kansas, independent Greg Orman has a one-point advantage over Republican Sen. Pat Roberts, 45 percent to 44 percent – down from Orman’s 10-point lead...(Read Full Post)