With 13 days to go until Election Day, the fortunes of both parties seem to go up and down on an hourly basis, as everyone tries to figure out who is up and who is down.

The story line about the House of Representatives seems to be clear right now - Democrats are defending a boat load of seats with Republicans sniffing a historic shift of seats.  Or is it something different?

If you want the Republicans to win - and win big - there's lot of evidence out there, that's for sure.

"Even in Liberal Bastions, GOP Sees Major Pick Up Opportunities," was one of many headlines on the internet last night.

"If this happens it will create a political earthquake unheard of in American politics," crowed GOP strategist Dick Morris, who has been loudly arguing in recent weeks that Republicans should be trying to win more than just a simple majority in the House.

The AP wire story Tuesday night estimated that 75 House seats are up in the air, while others say it is closer to 100 - with most of those seats now in the hands of Democrats.

But is it really happening?  Or are Democrats coming back?  

Well, there was some evidence of that in a few states, as polls issued on Tuesday showed Democrats getting closer in the Senate races in both Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, contests which many had all but written off in recent weeks.

One poll even had Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) ahead in the Keystone State, which sent liberal blogs into a flurry of celebratory screams (insert sound made by Howard Dean back in 2004 here.)

Then again, there were also some polls that were swinging the GOP's way, like one that had Dino Rossi within two points of Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), and another showing Carly Fiorina ahead of Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) by 3 points.

It's enough to make a reporter's head hurt.  

What poll should you believe as the numbers zig and zag all over the place?  I'm afraid I don't have the answer on that one.

As I wrote in my other blog for today, President Obama hits the campaign trail today, leaving on a five state, four day swing.  He will also go to Rhode Island next Monday to raise money for Democrats, who are trying to hold onto a seat in the Ocean State now held by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI).

One interesting nugget popped out of the White House on Tuesday in regards to Mr. Obama's campaign schedule next week.  It won't be as active as this week seemingly, as the word is the President will spend most of next week at the White House.

Off to Rhode Island on Monday - then at the White House on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Officials told reporters that the President will go out on the trail over the last weekend before Election Day, but that means a lot of hours will go by without any rallies or campaign appearances involving the Big Cheese.

Reports yesterday indicated that the President may do some travel on October 30 and 31 (nothing like campaign appearances that can draw all kinds of Halloween metaphors, eh?) but there were no concrete plans as yet.

His destinations may depend on where Democrats think he can make a last minute difference.  As of now, there seem to be a lot of options when it comes to the battle for Congress.