"Now the Bork fight, that was pressure," said Senator Howell Heflin.

Mr. Reagan observed that everyone had learned something from the Bork fight, and he has abandoned the pugnacity of the Ginsburg nomination.

"The Bork fight is a tremendous opportunity for us," said William D. Lacy, Mr. Dole's campaign director.

The President lost the Bork fight, there's the Iran-Contra affair, and there's been continued controversy about how to deal with the deficit.

In a way, the Bork fight has been a long-delayed referendum on the Warren Court, which came to an end 18 years ago.

Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr., whose retirement in 1987 paved the way for the Bork fight, is often cited as this type of Justice.

'Impressive Nominee' If that once seemed to be a legacy of the Bork fight, Judge Souter's performance at his hearing refuted it.

The polarization that has already been caused by the Bork fight was visible today as his supporters angrily vowed retribution against his opponents.

The Bork fight has brought it completely into the open.

The strong feelings generated by the Bork fight were evident at the beginning of Mr. Reagan's meeting with the conservatives.