1.   The Republicans lost their narrow majority in Congress at the midterm elections.

2.   Americans go to the polls for midterm elections.

3.   Among the ideas under consideration at the White House is for Clinton to call Congress into special session to deal with Social Security after the midterm elections in November.

4.   Analysts say more Democratic candidates are weaker than Republicans, and midterm elections usually result in a loss for the party in the White House.

5.   And midterm elections are only months away.

6.   And when the smoke clears on these midterm elections, the outcome of this campaign is likely to be seen as a referendum on the national mood.

7.   And with both chambers of Congress at stake in midterm elections, the last round of soft-money checks is expected to be huge.

8.   As happens with the Congress, the party that wins the White House usually loses many gubernatorial seats in the subsequent midterm election.

9.   As the midterm elections approach, many lawmakers do not want to have to choose between these key constituencies and would prefer to see the matter postponed.

10.   As midterm elections get underway, the number of female candidates appears to be down slightly compared to four years ago, although some filing deadlines are ahead.