1.   And they remember just three years ago when, in the Republican nominating contest, Pat Buchanan embarrassed President Bush with a strong showing in New Hampshire.

2.   Another unknown variable is the outcome of the presidential nominating contests.

3.   Early backers of the newly created Yankee Primary have pronounced the five-state regional nominating contest a qualified success.

4.   Gore said his theme was born in the open meetings he held in Iowa and New Hampshire during the nominating contest with Bradley.

5.   Gramm had been counting on a strong showing in Iowa to boost his chances in the next nominating contest.

6.   It is, essentially, over, even though more than half of the states have yet to hold nominating contests for one or both parties.

7.   Jarding added, however, that the committee itself does have a policy of not taking sides in such contested nominating contests, as do other party committees.

8.   South Carolina has been pivotal in at least three recent Republican presidential nominating contests.

9.   Sources say possible inducements include persuading Gramm to resign now so Perry can appoint a replacement and avoid a bloody Republican nominating contest.