Several Labor ministers, notably Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, are among the few counterweights to the Sharon cabinet's strong rightward tilt.

Due to the strong Republican tilt in Texas Senate District 3, Nichols' narrow win effectively was tantamount to winning the general election, which he did.

However, St. Louis's strong Democratic tilt (a Republican has not represented this district or its predecessors since 1949) helped Carnahan win with 53 percent of the vote.

And given the strong Democratic tilt in the rest of California, he will probably need a lot of Democratic help to beat Mr. Davis.

That means a strong tilt towards telecommunications, technology and health care sectors, rather than the chemical, airline and railroad stocks that many value investors own.

It also found a strong tilt toward rejection of blacks' registrations.

Mr. Kerry's gaffe may have an effect in districts with a strong military tilt.

There are, however, also political risks in accommodation - particularly for those who harbor Presidential hopes for 1996, and will face a nominating process with a very strong conservative tilt.

According to Congressional Budget Office estimates, Mr. Bush's tax cuts, with their strong tilt toward the wealthy, are responsible for more than $270 billion of the 2004 budget deficit.

The Seniors Coalition, a smaller advocacy group with a strong conservative tilt, says it does not try to appeal to boomers because of that conflict.