They said Republicans would so overplay their investigations that it would trigger a backlash and energize rank-and-file Democrats.

It should be recalled that the Democrats got their boost in 1998 when the Republicans overplayed their hand on the Monica Lewinsky scandal close to Election Day.

"I'm concerned that we Republicans may be overplaying our hand as we did when the Government was closed down twice at the end of '95 and early '96," said Senator Arlen Spector, a Pennsvlyania Republican.

But they are also aware, she said, that the Republicans could overplay their hand.

White House advisers insisted that the Republicans have now overplayed their hand and will soon be overwhelmed by the communications skills of a President who can now turn his attention to selling his economic plan after weeks of focusing on foreign policy.

The luck that fell to Mr. Holt fell to all Democrats when the Republicans overplayed the impeachment hand.

In both of those campaigns, critics said Republicans were overplaying their hands and predicted backlashes that did not come to pass.

The Republicans overplayed their hand in 1995 and tried to push through their own budget plan by twice shutting down the Government.

"Ken Starr and the Republicans overplayed their hand."

In 1996, with a President on the ballot, turnout will certainly be higher, and most of the extra voters will be working people - especially if Republicans overplay their hand and Democrats stand up for workers.