11.   But most gravitated to separate party caucuses intent on seeking workable if not elegant endgame strategems.

12.   But Republicans shied away from the partisan confrontation, asking in a party caucus for Lott once again to request a bipartisan caucus.

13.   But within hours, Senate Democrats debated the shape of an independent commission at their weekly party caucus.

14.   But within hours, Senate Democrats huddled behind closed doors in their weekly party caucus and debated the shape of an independent commission and how to move ahead.

15.   Democrats are holding their own party caucus Wednesday.

16.   Despite the compromise, Arizona, which in the past has held party caucuses in the late spring, has already benefited from the fracas.

17.   During the weekly party caucus luncheon Tuesday, Dole made his final pitch and, confident that he had the votes, scheduled the debate to begin Wednesday.

18.   Earlier, at a party caucus, he talked shop with charm and expertise on education, computers and unfunded mandates.

19.   Fifteen other states, including delegate-rich New York, also have primaries or party caucuses on the same day.

20.   For Democrats, the Washington state vote was a symbolic one, as delegates will not be chosen until party caucuses next week.