11.   Jose Serra, who was minister of health until last week, is the preferred candidate of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and the governing Social Democratic Party.

12.   Largely because of changing demographics and the demands of a new economy, union leaders are using a softer touch to nudge members toward preferred candidates.

13.   Lott was particularly exercised over the White House practice of picking its preferred candidates in some Republican Senate primaries.

14.   The company shares its polling data with preferred candidates.

15.   The governing party closed ranks and selected its preferred candidate, reminding the downcast opposition of the limits of their newfound power.

16.   The minister of health, Jose Serra, is the preferred candidate of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and the governing Brazilian Social Democratic Party.

17.   The Times said Gore was also the preferred candidate on civil liberties, environmental protection, gun control and the appointment of Supreme Court justices.

18.   There are no serious rivals among the candidates, he says, unless the conservative forces announce the name of their preferred candidate.

19.   There was no sign that the two dozen or so conservatives at the meeting have coalesced around a preferred candidate.