11.   And gay-bashing Oliver North lost his bid for a Virginia Senate seat to Chuck Robb, a supporter of gay rights.

12.   An Ohio couple, claiming they were forced to choose between their jobs and their marriage, lost their bid for a Supreme Court fight over nepotism policies.

13.   And GM lost a bid to manufacture passenger cars at a plant in southern China.

14.   And each side appeared to be maneuvering to gain a piece of Conrail even if it lost the bid for control.

15.   And North lost his major effort to cash in on his fame by losing his bid for a U.S. Senate seat from Virginia.

16.   And the IOC is noted for awarding the Olympics to cities that have lost previous bids.

17.   And they should not forget that the GOP lost its bid to convict Clinton on questionable impeachment charges.

18.   Arizona has lost its bid to recover millions of dollars from the federal government for services it provides to illegal immigrants.

19.   Ashcroft lost his bid for re-election to the Senate in November after his Democratic opponent, then-Gov. Mel Carnahan died in a plane crash.

20.   At the time, Clinton had just lost his bid for re-election as governor, and his political star seemed faded.