But the Missouri race is now anything but normal. Immediately after Democratic candidate Mel Carnahan died in a plane crash, it appeared that the party's Senate hopes had been severely diminished.

But since the Democratic governor has promised to appoint Carnahan's widow, it now appears possible that the deceased candidate could beat Republican incumbent John Ashcroft, who has had difficulty campaigning against Carnahan's memory.

Virginia is a crucial race for both the Democrats and the Republicans. GOP candidate George Allen leads incumbent Sen. Chuck Robb in the polls, but the polls have vacillated between the two candidates in the last few days.

In New Jersey, Democratic candidate Jon Corzine has been unable to bury his opponent despite spending $63 million of his own money on his campaign. Nonetheless, it appears likely that he will emerge victorious and could have a positive impact on the Democrat's attempt to win back the House.

Corzine is spending almost $2 million in order to maximize Democratic turnout by hiring workers to canvass the state on election day, which will certainly aid all the Democratic candidates on the state ticket.

Republican incumbents are also in trouble in Minnesota, Michigan, Montana and Delaware, although Slade Gorton appears to be hanging on in Washington State.

House Party?

In the House of Representatives, majority control is totally up for grabs, and many closely contested races have heightened the importance of each congressional district. The Democrats need only win over eight seats to undo the current 13-seat Republican advantage.