Both Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale have said that this election offers voters one of the clearest choices in U.S. history. In two key states, Massachusetts and Texas, ideology is also a major factor in contests for the Senate. In the House, races more often turn on personalities, as evidenced by campaigns in Delaware and Arkansas.
Bay State Upset
Massachusetts has such a reputation for liberal politics that White House Chief of Staff James Baker once jokingly referred to it as a Communist country. But as both parties held primaries last week to nominate...