To add further drama in 2004, the nation will stage at least three special elections to fill vacated House seats.
South Dakota
Stephanie Herseth will challenge for the seat she almost won in 2002. Janklow's resignation has forced a June 1 special election.
The November election will still go on, forcing Herseth, in effect, to run for two elections six months apart. Election observers claim the winner of the first should have smooth sailing in November, but I don't buy it. The turnout dynamics will be different during a special election and a presidential one.
This is a good race to donate to. Ripping off a tactic from the Dean blogs way back when, I would suggest any donations made to her campaign spurred by dKos be marked by adding an additional $.01 to the amount.
Herseth Donation page
Kentucky
Rep. Ernie Fletcher is leaving the House for his state's governor's mansion. His district is a lean-GOP, but winnable.
Neither party has candidates for the February 17th special election, yet. They will be chosen over the next couple of days at party conventions. The Democrats might nominate Fletcher's opponent in the governor's race, Ben Chandler (who would have name ID advantages, if the stigma of defeat).
Louisiana
Rep. Tauzin is expected to quit Congress to take a cushy lobbying job with the Motion Picture Association of America (as early as January).
While Tauzin won the district with large margins, the state Democratic Party has seen a resurgence of late, with the near-complete takeover of all but one statewide office. And, Rep. Rodney Alexander shocked in 2002 by winning LA's solid GOP 6th CD. (Though that victory was overshadowed by Landrieu's own shocking victory.)
Given recent trends, this one (assuming Tauzin does quit) is winnable.