With the last primaries behind them, Democrats approach fall elections facing so much difficulty that some congressional leaders, and the party's biggest names, may be in jeopardy.
House Speaker Thomas Foley, New York Gov. Mario Cuomo and Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy - all pillars of the Democratic Party - are among incumbents facing their most difficult re-election fights.
Newly added to the endangered list is Tennessee Sen. James Sasser, who hopes to succeed Sen. George Mitchell, D-Maine, as Senate majority leader and is considered ahead in that insiders' race. Also at risk: veteran House Democrats.
"If people are looking to change the status quo, then the biggest names in the status quo are the biggest targets," says political analyst Charles Cook. "Prominence in Washington can simply make you a fatter and juicier target."
The Democrats' worry list has been growing in recent weeks as President Clinton's chronic low standing in the polls undermines Democratic candidates across the nation and hands Republicans an easy campaign weapon.
The latest independent polls show Cuomo and Kennedy behind Republican challengers two months before the voting.
Cuomo trailed George Pataki by 1% and 10% in separate polls by Newsday and the New York Daily News this week. Kennedy trailed Mitt Romney 42%-43%, a statistical dead heat, in a Boston Globe poll.
Foley is facing fierce opposition resulting from his 30-year tenure and his opposition to a term-limits effort.
His eastern Washington district has gone Republican in recent races, and Republicans have targeted him in ads: "Send Bill Clinton a message." Polls of the district found Foley leading lesser-knowns but still under 50%.
"It's not Foley's voting record - it's who he is, the symbol, that makes him a target," says Stuart Rothenberg, a political-newsletter publisher. "Yes, he's vulnerable."
Sasser has found himself in an unexpectedly difficult bid for a fourth term against conservative Republican newcomer Bill Frist, a millionaire heart-transplant surgeon who is pouring his own money into the race.
Republicans have been touting their own poll showing Frist ahead at the end of August. Democrats dispute that finding but acknowledge Sasser, who won with 65% six years ago, is in a tight race.
Republicans have been gleeful in pointing to the Democrats' election-year woes.
Rep. Bill Paxon, R-N.Y., chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, says an unprecedented 96 of the Democrats' 256 House seats are in competitive races. Gaining 40 seats would give Republicans control of the House, something they haven't had since Dwight Eisenhower's first term.
"We are on the verge of historic gains in the House," Paxon says. "We have five seats in play in Washington state, including the speaker's."
Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, acknowledges, "This is going to be a tough election cycle for Democrats."
Democratic leaders have conceded they could lose 25 or more House seats and three or four Senate seats.
Democrats have more House seats at risk than Republicans, including a large class of freshmen who won in marginal districts two years ago. They have more incumbents retiring and face the historical threat of congressional losses for the party in the White House.
Adding to their anxiety are other Democratic veterans in trouble, including members of the House leadership:
-- Rep. Sam Gejdenson, D-Conn., a 14-year veteran and Foreign Affairs subcommittee chairman, faces a rematch after barely winning with 51% two years ago.
-- Rep. Neal Smith, D-Iowa, a 36-year veteran and Appropriations subcommittee chairman, faces an aggressive opponent and may have been hurt by his failed bid to win the full committee chairmanship.
-- Rep. Anthony Beilenson, D-Calif., a high-ranking member of the powerful Rules Committee and 18-year veteran, has been made vulnerable by redistricting.
