With Republicans hoping for a record turnover in the House of Representatives, anti-incumbent fever has given rise to a surprising number of close races across the region.

His popularity was down; he was perceived as falling out of touch with the state, and anti-incumbent fever was high because of the state's new income tax.

Throughout the country, the Democrats are beset by anti-incumbent fever and disappointment with the Clinton White House.

"The fundamental problem is we have got an anti-incumbent fever sweeping the state," he said.

But like guerrilla fighters who are outgunned but not out-swaggered, Mr. Giuliani's aides talk of an anti-incumbent fever that will make their vote-pulling operation more effective.

Despite anti-incumbent fever, his seniority still counts among many South Carolinians who feel that an insider will best serve their interests.

Politicians have been nervously watching the gathering mood of rage and pessimism among Americans and have struggled to define it with phrases like angry electorate and anti-incumbent fever.

Nevertheless, some Ohio Democrats say privately they are concerned the Republican attacks could stick in this year of anti-incumbent fever.

But she quickly ran into voters who are infected with the anti-incumbent fever that has presented itself around the country and who are also in a near frenzy over the crime issue.

Gauging the Fever A result of all this year's talk about anti-incumbent fever can be gauged in three races.