Mr. Bush even modestly changed the Presidential signature from the front to the back of the souvenir White House tie tack.

But it is taking a lot more than a Presidential signature to get RU486, the French abortion-inducing pill, into this country.

A Presidential signature on the bill would infuriate California farmers, who talk loudly and carry big wallets.

Indeed, Kennedy autographs sold in the 1980's brought two of the highest prices paid at auction for postwar Presidential signatures.

Legislation on cable television will also be a priority, and chances for a Presidential signature could depend on how well Mr. Bush is doing in the polls.

White House analysts check the mail carefully, of course, to make sure that the Presidential signature is not squandered on those who want it for commercial or political reasons.

Congress is supposed to approve the final budget by April 15; no Presidential signature is required.

The new catastrophic care bill headed for Presidential signature expands Medicare to pay for extended hospital stays.

Even Presidential secretaries' signatures, specialists say, have turned up in mechanical reproduction.

But the bill still needed a Presidential signature.