1.   No sooner had the debate begun than people began to leave the hall.

2.   As the candidates began their debate in Charleston on Tuesday night, they found themselves locked in a junkyard campaign of smears and attacks in the Lee Atwater tradition.

3.   As Clinton and Congress begin debate this week over how to save Medicare from bankruptcy, these developments have drained much of the tension from the discussion.

4.   As the Senate began debate on the Patients Bill of Rights Act this week, the cost of some proposed reforms was a significant concern.

5.   Both branches are scheduled to begin debate on the measure next Tuesday, one day after a public hearing.

6.   Both the full House and the Senate are expected to begin debate on their respective bills next week.

7.   After months of delays, the Senate has finally begun its debate on campaign finance.

8.   Also late Tuesday, the Senate began debate on a provision to require wealthy seniors to pay higher premiums for Medicare coverage.

9.   But although the attorney general and congressional leaders have talked about passing a tough new organized crime bill, so far they have not formally begun the debate.