1.   But they expected the rank and file to act more out of pragmatism than principle when choosing a nominee.

2.   In their day, presidential nominees were chosen by members of Congress meeting in caucus.

3.   Because presidential nominees will be chosen early, speculation will focus on the gender of possible running mates.

4.   A Republican president is choosing the nominees, but the Democratic-controlled Senate can confirm or deny the nominations.

5.   A senior administration official, who insisted on anonymity, dismissed the idea that other Republican senators might emulate Gorton and insist on choosing nominees for federal appeals courts.

6.   Administration officials said they were not close to choosing a nominee, but declined to comment on those being considered.

7.   All of this suggests that Clinton, who has been less than bold in choosing nominees for the federal courts up to now, may become even less so.

8.   Does forming a diverse Cabinet mean choosing nominees who hold a range of opinions, or who are simply diverse themselves?

9.   Dole countered that Clinton himself had injected partisan politics into the issue by choosing a nominee who would divide pro-choice Republicans against those who oppose abortion.