The fight for control of the House has dominated the political spotlight in recent weeks. But an equally key and surprisingly volatile battle that could alter the partisan makeup of the Senate, with a wide range of potential outcomes, is brewing as well.
Four Democratic-held and two Republican-held seats are toss-ups, while as many as eight more races could narrow as the campaign cycle progresses. The results could range anywhere from a Republican net gain of three seats to a Democratic net gain of two.
Given the pro-incumbent mood and the absence of any discernible national tide favoring one party over the other, what will happen is anyone's guess. The most likely outcome would seem to be a one-seat gain for Republicans, though a wash or a two- seat GOP gain also remains plausible. Republicans may gain as many as three seats, and Democrats as many as two.
In the Midwest, a Batch of Open Seats
Almost any discussion of the 1998 Senate races must begin with the two Midwestern open-seat contests. The first is in Indiana, where Republican Dan
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