Just weeks ago, it seemed inconceivable the Republicans could win control of Congress this fall.

Not anymore.

Almost by the day, Republicans are sensing fresh opportunities to pick up ground. Just Wednesday, former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats announced he would try to reclaim his old seat from Democrat Evan Bayh, who barely a year ago had been a finalist to be Barack Obama's running mate. And Republicans nationwide are still celebrating Scott Brown's January upset to take Edward Kennedy's former seat in Massachusetts.

A Republican takeover on Capitol Hill is still a long shot. But strategists in both parties now see at least narrow paths by which the GOP could win the House and, if the troubled environment for Democrats deteriorates further, possibly even the Senate.

"Democrats have got their hands full trying to navigate through unprecedented economic turmoil and two wars," says former Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb. He suggests the gloomy talk within the party is overstated and the Democrats are still likely to retain control, but he adds: "There's no question that there's anger out there."

With nine months to go, 2010 is shaping up in one sense to be a traditional midterm election for a new president: The out-of-power party is poised to gain seats in both houses. The question now is whether it will be a historic election with Republicans actually seizing power in Congress.