1.   A change in administrations following this years presidential election could affect how aggressively federal officials pursue the case.

2.   In past election years, differences over defense spending and foreign policy have been central to the political debate.

3.   It is, of course, conceivable that the community charge will have a bigger direct effect on local elections in future years.

4.   Although Bush is not up for re- election this year, every House seat and a third of the Senate seats are on the ballot.

5.   And higher growth is expected after elections this year in Mexico and Brazil, the largest nations in the region.

6.   And Democratic pollsters say that even if Bush will not suffer for his budget priorities, he is not up for election this year.

7.   And the same backlash could easily cost the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party the four state governorships that are to be decided in elections this year.

8.   And the left remains both fragmented and wary trying to capitalize politically on problems at a summit meeting it had helped plan before losing the elections this year.

9.   As a result, news coverage mushroomed, driven by the elections that year and seismic events like the death of Princess Diana that drew huge spikes in readership.

10.   Both prime ministers had been in an arms race as they maneuvered for position in advance of an election this year.