31.   The question the party faces as it opens its national convention Friday in Kansas City concerns the future.

32.   The Republican woes in Congress are no fluke, but symptomatic of a test the party faces in the presidential race as well.

33.   The party faces several hurdles, including a lawsuit alleging that voting by computer would discriminate against minorities and the poor.

34.   The party is facing the loss for the first time of its congressional majority this summer.

35.   Their own party is facing closure, and several of its leaders have been given jail terms and political bans for making speeches that were considered subversive.

36.   Unlike candidates, who are governed by federal laws limiting spending, parties face no restrictions.

37.   Without Koizumi at the helm, the party might have faced a serious challenge from a handful of parties that had not often threatened the Liberal Democrats.

38.   A prominent right-wing Hindu party faces disqualification from upcoming Indian parliamentary elections because it appoints rather than elects its own leaders, election officials said Friday.

39.   Advani, who represents Gujarat state in Parliament, was criticized by some party lawmakers for inept handling of the crisis the party faced in the state.

40.   Barring an unexpected exodus of undecided voters to the opposition, however, the ruling party should not face much trouble.