'Year' of the woman? We could do with an era

The telephone calls from reporters arrive like clockwork every January to the Center for American Women and Politics. "Is this going to be The Year of the Woman?" they want to know.

This month has been no different. Political reporters ascribe great significance to changes in the running tally of women in Congress, even though the number tends to shift in low single digits from one election to the next. Any gains, even