Moreover, the more amicable, willing-to-compromise image that Republican leaders projected in the final months of the 104th Congress should help them blunt any strong Democratic tide, many analysts say.

Senator Smith, 55, acknowledges that he is facing an unusual Democratic tide.

Many of them were the Republicans who were washed out to sea in the Democratic tide.

Even so, and with Carter at the top of the Democratic ticket, Heinz barely reversed the Democratic tide and defeated Green, 52-48 percent.

There were several races in which the ability to bring home hundreds of federal projects might have made enough of a difference to withstand a Democratic tide.

I don't think we're in the midst of a Democratic tide here.

The Democratic tide ran even more strongly in 1936.

"The Democratic tide is rising," Mr. Florio said.

But in a year that some knew would be a rising Democratic tide, relatively few resources were thrown at lifting the smallest boats: the state's Democratic Senate candidates.

Now, Democrats are hoping that Mr. Lewis's first tight race in a decade could be a bellwether of a Democratic tide this year.