So what will it be? Another successful stand by the GOP to preserve its majority in Congress? Or a banner year, again, for California Democrats who in 1998 won about every important state election in sight?
As Campaign 2000 looms, it's conceivable that California will not only play a key role in the makeup of the next Congress but could, by itself, produce enough Democratic victories to erase the Republican's five-year hold on the House.
"They could pick up all five seats in California, if they are really lucky," GOP consultant Allan Hoffenblum said with an anxious chuckle.
Pasadena Republican James Rogan, long a target of Democrats, gave them more ammunition than ever when he took center stage in the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton.
San Diego's Brian Bilbray may be in the same leaky boat, having also been a vocal supporter of ousting Clinton.
With Palo Alto's Tom Campbell now a candidate for U.S. Senate, Republicans face a sudden contest to keep his congressional seat in the GOP column.
And across the state there are several other Republican-held seats that could be at risk. Steven Kuykendall, for example, could be in for a fight if former congresswoman Jane Harman, as many expect, mounts a campaign to return to that South Bay seat.
'I think it is very likely that California will determine which party controls the House," said longtime Democratic consultant Roy Behr. "It is hard to see how the Democrats win the House back if they don't pick up a few seats here. And it is hard to see how the Republicans maintain control if they lose four or five seats here."
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How did this happen?
Well, the sheer size of California's delegation, with 52 members, makes it the statistically logical place for some seats to change hands. Term limits. Normal turnover. Shifting demographics. All of those help turn Democratic seats to Republican and vice versa.
Then, there are defining moments in politics that can have lasting repercussions. Some, like the impeachment debate, may run deep with voters in select races. Other lingering issues may include a Latino backlash against Republicans over the Pete Wilson administration's campaign for Proposition 187 against illegal immigrants and Proposition 209 against affirmative action in state hiring.
