We began the 1990 election cycle with Republicans clearly on the offensive in the Senate, both parties hoping for modest gains in the House, and each laying the groundwork for the pivotal 1992 elections. At the same time, Republicans were attempting to hold down numerical losses in the governorships, focusing primarily on holding onto a handful of very important gubernatorial posts such as in California, Florida, Illinois, and Texas. Through 1989, the still-expanding economy and President Bush's extremely high job approval ratings combined to give the GOP every reason for optimism in believing they would escape thehistoric pattern of mid-term election losses for the party holding the White House.

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