21.   One of the distinctive features of the Democratic convention is that a portion of the cherished speaking slots is given to interest groups.

22.   Prime speaking slots were carved out for black congressmen J.C. Watts of Oklahoma and Gary A. Franks of Connecticut.

23.   Prime-time speaking slots will go only to top names such as Arizona Sen. John McCain and Powell.

24.   Rylander was a replacement speaker for New York Gov. George Pataki, who turned down the speaking slot because he disagrees with the party platform on immigration.

25.   Several Hispanic-Americans, including Rep. Henry Bonilla of Texas, will be given prominent speaking slots.

26.   Speculation swirled about whether the veteran civil rights activist would get a speaking slot and whether he would criticize the Clinton Administration or veering too far to the right.

27.   The flap subsided, and her speaking slot was restored.

28.   Those were the topics that got Sharp a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention, so criticism was out of order.

29.   Wilson lost out on a prime-time speaking slot apparently because of his threat to carry the abortion fight to the convention floor Monday.

30.   Wilson was reportedly miffed because convention managers did not offer him a speaking slot that was live and in prime time.