Still, Gore retains an edge with voters on most of the major issues--an advantage that experts said will propel him to victory, provided he gets people out to vote.

"He needs to drive home a couple of large issues," Patterson said. "If Gore can get people walking into the polling booth on Tuesday thinking issues and not personality, then he maximizes his chances."

Dolliole said Gore would emphasize in the next two days the "big choice" that voters face, asking whether they want to "squander the surplus" or protect Social Security and Medicare, and continue the prosperity of the past eight years.

Gore is expected to campaign in Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Florida and Tennessee today and tomorrow, while Bush will hit Tennessee, Wisconsin, Iowa and Arkansas before returning to Texas.

Nearly as important as the outcome of the presidential race are the races to determine the balance of power in the House and Senate.

Seven Republican and two Democratic seats appear vulnerable in the Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 54-46 edge. In the House, where

Republicans hold a 222-209 advantage, only three to four dozen seats are clearly up for grabs.