The anti-incumbent mood, so powerful in 1994, has diminished.

And the overall anti-incumbent mood of the electorate played out with a venom in races from the local level on up.

Moreover, some analysts detect a general anti-incumbent mood around the country.

But there's also an anti-incumbent mood in Congressional districts where the economy is in full flower.

Some of the most senior Republicans found themselves struggling against the year's angry, anti-incumbent mood.

Ms. Kelly said she was probably helped by the anti-incumbent mood of the nation's voters.

"There was a big anti-incumbent mood, and women were seen as outsiders," she said.

But political analysts here say that this year, with the anti-incumbent mood still abroad in the country, something is different.

The national anti-incumbent mood has already compelled unaccustomed campaigning by veterans here.

On its face, that seems to say nothing much has changed, despite all the noise about a national anti-incumbent mood.