71.   But for all the doubts, the governor will be a formidable candidate.

72.   But governors have been cool to her potential candidacy because she has not held an elective office.

73.   But Bush backers say the Texas governor is most in sync with religious conservatives, who are among the most likely voters.

74.   But by the time New Jersey residents figure out which version of Whitman is closer to reality, their governor may well be gone.

75.   But he seemed to have no such qualms about Bush, even though some coalition members suspect the governor is not conservative enough on a range of social issues.

76.   But he said governors could not be sure the plan would work because it was not clear if Washington would come through with money for the new approach.

77.   But his deputy press secretary, Hilary McLean, said the governor was in favor of financial privacy and was hoping to get legislation passed that would protect it.

78.   But if he does not, Hainey said, the governor is likely to sign the legislation into law.

79.   But if the governor is serious, he might visit the Rockaways in Queens, where there are many bad adult homes.

80.   But in a telephone interview Sunday, the governor was upbeat.