1.   Arlen Specter until he dropped out of the Republican race.

2.   That responsibility is particularly acute in the Republican race.

3.   As the Republican race for governor enters its final week, conservatives have become the most coveted voters in California.

4.   Asked to handicap the Republican race, Nicholson, in unusually candid comments for a party chairman, all but brushed off four contenders.

5.   At a news conference, Alexander insisted the Republican presidential race had boiled down to him and Dole.

6.   Bauer endorsed McCain after dropping out of the Republican presidential race last month.

7.   Bauer, a leader among social conservatives, endorsed McCain last month after dropping out of the Republican presidential race himself.

8.   Bradley also benefited from the votes of independents, but fewer of them voted in the Democratic than in the Republican race.

9.   ----- Ever since Elizabeth Dole entered the Republican race, she has been pilloried for her reputation as an over-scripted candidate.

10.   After contests in just two states, it was increasingly apparent that the Republican race has evolved into a two-man affair.