Nation & World
Sidebar: The Senate: Even Closer
Seven weeks before Election Day, roughly a dozen Senate races-a full third of this year's matches-are hotly contested. Most of the tightest races are for seats now held by Republicans, putting control of Congress's upper chamber within reach for Democrats, if everything goes their way. Here are three races that got more interesting last week:
Maryland: In a close contest, Rep. Ben Cardin beat ex-Congressman and former NAACP chief Kweisi Mfume in last week's Democratic primary. Maryland has long been dependably Democratic, but GOP Senate nominee Michael Steele, an African-American, is courting the state's sizable black community. Because the white Democratic establishment backed Cardin over Mfume, the telegenic Steele may have an opening.
Virginia: Sen. George Allen's "macaca" gaffe has cost him, with a double-digit lead over challenger Jim Webb all but evaporating, according to new polling. A navy secretary under President Reagan, Webb launched a TV ad that featured Reagan praising him. The spot provoked Allen into attack mode, with an ad spotlighting Nancy Reagan's request for Webb to pull the footage.
Pennsylvania: After debating on Meet the Press, Republican Sen. Rick Santorum is closing in on Bob Casey Jr., who once held a commanding lead. Casey is catching flak for his low-energy style-including in the nationally televised debate-and for being more anti-Santorum than pro-anything. Santorum is campaigning like a proud Republican, calling President Bush "terrific" and insisting weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq.
This story appears in the September 25, 2006 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.
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