1.   The Republican contender said he never understood the plight of the handicapped before he was injured.

2.   Among the Republican presidential contenders, Bush and Sen. John McCain of Arizona have been sparring over whose tax plan does more to help the working poor.

3.   And he said Donald DiFrancesco, president of the state Senate and a leading Republican contender, appeared to be gearing his political strategy to predominantly white suburban voters.

4.   And some Republican presidential contenders have sharply criticized Clinton and accused him of squandering the moral authority of the presidency.

5.   And while Republican presidential contenders are skirmishing over age, guns and taxes, President Clinton has been quietly storing away states for the winter.

6.   Another Republican contender, Gary L. Bauer, also offered Bradley some unsolicited help when he told reporters that he once considered Gore an aggressive opponent of abortion rights.

7.   Another Republican contender, Texas Senator Phil Gramm, offers photos of himself visiting school children and talking with senior citizens and veterans.

8.   As the Republican contender, who lags badly in the polls, extolled townspeople for showing initiative without the help of the federal government, his press secretary beamed.

9.   At a convention of the Christian Coalition the other day, another Republican contender, Steve Forbes, allied himself with Teddy Roosevelt.

10.   Before a chilled, rain-soggy South Carolina picnic audience last weekend, Republican presidential contender John McCain played his military hand.