STUNNED GOP: House Republicans vowed campaign changes Wednesday after their third straight defeat in congressional races in once-friendly territory. “The political atmosphere ... is the worst since Watergate,” Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia wrote in a memo to leadership.

OBAMA FACTOR: They also debated the wisdom of attacking Barack Obama in congressional races. Some Republicans said the tactic appeared to have backfired in some cases.

STATS: Davis noted President Bush’s low popularity and that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee enjoyed a cash advantage of $44 million to $7 million as of March 31.