1.   An ugly nomination fight tends to hurt the president, by calling his judgment into question.

2.   And Buchanan, with all his passion, rhetorical fury and combativeness, is practically tied for the lead in this nomination fight.

3.   Armey also offered moral support to both Thomases during the nomination fight.

4.   As the nomination fight gets under way, Bush is unlikely to start off with the firm blessing of the religious right.

5.   Bush wrapped up the Republican nomination fight Tuesday with a string of primary victories, including Texas and Florida.

6.   But increasingly, congressional leaders are claiming their prerogative to block presidential appointees as they allow nomination fights to be proxies for other battles.

7.   But Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., publicly warned that he would rally environmental groups and other nuclear opponents for a classic nomination fight.

8.   If he does, a candidate with different views on social issues would likely emerge, giving the party of Ross Perot its first real nomination fight.

9.   Now, Sen. John McCain and Gov. George W. Bush are campaigning as if South Carolina were pivotal in their nomination fight.

10.   On the surface, the down-to-the-wire nomination fight between Hager and Earley seems cordial enough, with Earley the probable winner.