The Danish vote still looms as a considerable threat to the treaty, because as drafted it must be ratified by all 12 community members to go into effect.

But in a close race, a small vote can loom large, especially when, as in the case of the Muslim vote, it is concentrated in crucial states like California, Michigan, Virginia and New York.

That vote looms over French politics and reinforces the impression that the French, too, are living through an uneasy transition period.

An important vote on Mr. Lott's own proposal looms on Tuesday, testing his leadership and most likely deciding whether Mr. McCain's legislation meets continuing deadlock or picks up momentum toward passage.

Then two days ago as the overriding vote loomed, the Mayor raised a new issue.

Turner's leadership was frequently questioned, and in the lead up to the 1986 Liberal convention, a vote of confidence loomed large.

But as a vote looms later this month, the union president, Sandra Feldman, is taking nothing for granted, particularly since the early reactions she received yesterday was decidedly mixed.

For Ms. Desouza, her first vote loomed not just as a way to choose a candidate but to right a wrong.

As a crucial vote on the stadium loomed yesterday, Mr. Silver hinted that if forced to choose he would veto the plan.

Democrats say Republicans just do not want to talk about it in an election year, when the House and Senate are up for grabs and the votes of older Americans loom large.