1.   A crowded ballot in winter primaries dwindles to a two-person showdown in early summer.

2.   Bush said on Tuesday that he has been talking about health care since the primaries last winter.

3.   During the GOP primary last winter, Bush said the flag matter was a state issue.

4.   He is planning a Middle East fact-finding tour in lieu of the winter primary slogging he once awaited.

5.   In the New Hampshire primary last winter, Gary Bauer plummeted backward off a stage while flipping pancakes.

6.   McCain defeated Bush in several primaries last winter, in a surprisingly strong run for the GOP presidential nomination.

7.   The Arizona senator won seven primaries last winter and demonstrated a strong appeal to independent voters whose votes will be critical in November.