1.   But that lead may be narrowing.

2.   National polls continue to show Clinton ahead of Dole, though his lead has narrowed considerably in at least one poll.

3.   Vanguard, based in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, still trails industry leader Fidelity Investments, though the lead narrowed.

4.   Easley, hoping to succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt, has remained ahead in recent polls, but his lead has narrowed.

5.   That lead has narrowed in the last couple of days, however.

6.   During the dip, his lead had narrowed to single digits.