>I'm telling you the signs are clear - signals are being sent to Gore from his own people now to call it off. They want to win the House and Senate in two years. It's a very smart political move on their part IMO.

I don't think the signals are very clear at the moment, Doug, though they may well be within a few days if Gore popular support drops off further. But right now, it's nearly a win-win situation for Democrats in Congress. Many are upset at some recent events such as the Dade recount stopage, and the refusal of Harris to allow the Palm Beach recount - before this, they didn't care a lot. The congressional Dems have fairly solid party-faithful support for backing Gore just now, and very few complaints from constituents.

Yet, as you note, if/when Bush is president, the Dems will very likely take over congress in 2 years if cards are played well. So, for many Dems right now, they are content for at least a few days to back Gore, knowing that the future bodes fairly bright either way this goes.

In a sense, the Repubs are actually nearer to a lose-lose situation, IMO, because they've become so much more worked up about this election. The Dems have less to lose because they don't take it quite as seriously - and because they're already mildly happy with congressional gains, and the prospect of even more gains later. In the catbird seat, they are, at least for a few days.