11.   After putting considerable effort into a November straw poll in Maine and predicting victory, he placed a distant second to Texas Sen. Phil Gramm.

12.   After the hearing, which focused on technical points of law, both sides predicted victory.

13.   All candidates predict victory, he conceded, but he insisted that in this race he was sure of his ground.

14.   Alexander stopped far short of predicting victory and even tried out some post-election spin before the first ballot had been cast.

15.   Both sides of the debate in Oregon predict victory in a referendum.

16.   Both sides predicted victory.

17.   Bush and McCain both predicted victory in campaign-closing appearances.

18.   Bush has predicted victory and is spending heavily to produce that result.

19.   But Dole vowed to fight on and predicted ultimate victory.

20.   But few predict that victory now.