But the Republicans have only a 33-to-26 margin in the 61-member Senate, with two seats vacant, and the Democrats are staging an aggressive campaign to reverse the balance.

Senate Republicans tried and failed today to break a filibuster that Democrats have been staging to prevent a vote to extend the life of the special Whitewater committee.

The rump caucus meeting Democrats staged on the House floor was one of their most united, fiery sessions of the year.

At election time black Democrats and Republicans staged political debates to appeal for the votes of African Americans.

To foil the extension plan, the Democrats in the Senate have staged an extended debate, or filibuster, that the Republicans have been unable to stop.

Last summer, when the Democrats staged the first such weekend event here, Mr. Clinton's visit helped them raise about $1 million.

The Liberal Democrats also staged their autumn conference in the centre in 2010.

Then, for the second day in a row, the Democrats and Republicans staged opposing news conferences.

While the Republicans searched for candidates as their convention proceeded, the Democrats staged robotic demonstrations to toast their incumbents.

Cloture: Vote to break a filibuster that Democrats have been staging to prevent a vote to extend the life of a special Whitewater committee.