"The difficulty here is that these are not identical types of events," said Arthur J. O'Neill, the Republican co-chairman of the committee.

The Republican co-chairman of the commission, Drew Lewis, chairman of the Union Pacific Corporation and a former Secretary of Transportation in the Reagan Administration, could not be reached for comment.

Mr. O'Neill, the Republican co-chairman, said it was unlikely that the committee would respond in detail or negotiate at length.

Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, the Republican co-chairman of the caucus, called the choice between the Quayle and Pryor packages one "between cosmetic reform and real reform."

Asked about Mr. Strauss' assessment, Mr. Lewis, the Republican co-chairman, replied, "I think that's a fair comment."

"Personalities and incumbencies hold no sway with us," said Louis DeLuca, the Republican co-chairman and Senate minority leader.

Drew Lewis, the Republican co-chairman of the National Economic Commission, offered a suggestion on the NBC News program "Meet the Press" today.

"There may be a majority at this point" favoring higher taxes, Mr. Kleckner said, suggesting that not even Drew Lewis, the Republican co-chairman, could be counted on to hold the line.

Questioned as he left today's session, Drew Lewis, the Republican co-chairman of the 12-member commission, declined to express preferences as to spending cuts or tax increases.

Mr. Trakas, the Republican co-chairman in Cuyahoga County, said the recruits would be equipped with lists of voters who the party suspects are not county residents or otherwise qualified to vote.