While the seasons change four times a year with a great deal of predictability, changes in political season - the electoral environment - are considerably less frequent and difficult to predict until they actually occur. The political climate was tilted in favor of Republicans for a time after the September 11 tragedy, and in more recent months, the playing field became remarkably level or even slightly tilted in favor of Republicans. This was extraordinary given the historic pattern of mid-term election losses for the party holding the White House. Today while there are preliminary signs that the political season is changing, it is too soon to say that it has changed or will in fact change. Instead it is important to note that the conditions that foster such a change in the political climate appear to be forming. Even if such a pro-Democratic wave develops, other questions arise, such as how big will it be and whether it will last until November 5. Will it crest too soon, too late or just in time to maximize Democratic chances for the
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