71.   Bush holds a slight lead in some of those surveys, but the margin appears to have narrowed.

72.   Chretien, a native Quebecker who staunchly opposes secession, said he remained optimistic despite recent polls showing a slight lead for the separatists.

73.   Chirac holds a slight lead over Jospin in recent opinion polls.

74.   Democratic challenger Maria Cantwell widened her slight lead in the last unsettled U.S. Senate contest Wednesday, though an automatic recount seemed certain.

75.   Despite the buoyancy in the Dow, declining issues had a slight lead on advancers on the New York Stock Exchange.

76.   For months, polls had shown the two running close, with Murphy enjoying only a slight lead.

77.   Gore held a slight lead.

78.   Gore had a slight lead in the last round of Michigan surveys.

79.   Gbagbo had a slight lead when vote-counting was interrupted Monday.

80.   Governor Bush has a slight lead from what is known so far, but it is so close that I think this thing could go either way.