1.   As the confirmation fight appeared to be moving swiftly to a close, liberal interest groups kept up their effort against Ashcroft.

2.   Ashcroft was sworn in at the Supreme Court Thursday by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, himself a survivor of a tough confirmation fight.

3.   But much of the recent history of judicial confirmations has been about settling earlier scores from other confirmation fights.

4.   But sources said Weld had considered the risk that his image and his influence might be harmed by a nasty confirmation fight.

5.   But, inevitably, confirmation fights this bitter add a new grudge to the long list of grievances between the parties.

6.   Clinton is clearly not going to risk an ugly confirmation fight by picking another controversial liberal.

7.   Herman and Ms. Weaver are longtime friends whose relationship became an issue during the confirmation fight.

8.   In selecting Breyer, Clinton hoped to avoid a confirmation fight that would distract Congress from such White House legislative priorities as health care reform and the anti-crime bill.

9.   Mini-dramas on several important Senate confirmation fights.

10.   The Ashcroft confirmation fight may also signal how much of a fight Bush can expect from the Senate over future judicial nominees and proposals on emotionally laden social issues.