"They have to understand there's only so far we can go," the Louisiana Democrat said, blaming the inmates for the collapse of the agreement.

Mr. Long, a Louisiana Democrat, had headed the committee since 1966.

Guste, like many Louisiana Democrats in the 1980s, pleased conservatives by taking a pro-life position on abortion.

Wyly said that he sought the position only because he considered himself "the average Louisiana Democrat."

Like many other Louisiana Democrats over time, he wound up switching to the more conservative Republican Party.

"We want to find out what it means," said the Louisiana Democrat, "and whether it is do-able."

Many Louisiana Democrats called Alexander "cowardly" for his last-minute party switch.

But Senator Johnston, a Louisiana Democrat, is not up for re-election this year.

(Louisiana Democrats are sticking with a March 14 primary.)

Lambert was the first Louisiana Democrat to lose to a Republican candidate in a statewide general election, popularly called the runoff.