61.   Democrats hope hand recounts in four Democratic-leaning counties will turn up enough votes to help Gore win the state, and the election.

62.   Democrats hope that saving those popular measures for last will increase their leverage for winning extra spending that most lawmakers want but that would also bust budget limits.

63.   Democrats hope to make an election-year issue out of the Enron debacle, though polls show that neither party has a clear advantage on the matter.

64.   Democrats hoped to send President Bush a warning on future nominees Tuesday as former Sen. John Ashcroft moved closer to confirmation as attorney general.

65.   Democrats hoped to soften the impact by hammering away at Social Security, an issue they see breaking their way.

66.   Democrats are hoping the party switch backfires.

67.   Democrats hope those recounts by human eye and hand will turn up additional votes for their candidate.

68.   Democrats hope to post wins in several states this fall, including New York, New Jersey, Nebraska and Florida.

69.   Democrats are hoping that tactic eventually will create a sense of unease about Bush.

70.   Democrats have hoped Paige, whose district is also two-thirds poor, would support their slate of programs targeted for the neediest schools.