Republican contenders wasted no time in trying to turn the Republican rout to their advantage.

"It's a national problem," said Mr. Bush, who is a Republican Presidential contender for 1988.

By contrast, the networks suppressed many troubling stories about both Republican contenders - stories on the public record.

When the abortion issue does arise on the campaign trail, many Republican contenders frame it with a newly pragmatic, incremental approach.

Republican Presidential contenders are voicing a passion for compassion.

Republican contenders galore need him out of the way as soon as possible.

Mr. Rumsfeld's name is also appearing these days on longer lists of 1988 Republican Presidential contenders.

Republican contenders are making a similar effort to find money-raisers, but without the sudden shifts in the field of aspirants.

But Mr. Bradley has said that, unlike several Republican contenders, he does not see vouchers as the solution to public education's problems.

The two Republican contenders for Mr. Florio's job denounced it.

Douglas R. Forrester, the Republican contender, reported spending $10.4 million, almost all of it from a fortune he made in the prescription drug insurance business.

Other Republican contenders for governor were less critical.

Patrick J. Buchanan, the former Republican presidential contender, took one part.

In the closing days, the Republican contenders have clashed mostly over who has the strongest stand against abortion.

The Republican contender - you didn't really think we would leave him unnamed, did you?

The Republican contenders spent much of last year's run-up to the 1996 campaign taking on big government.

The Republican contenders have agreed to at least two debates.

Other Republican contenders decided to bypass the state altogether.

Mr. Robertson, the Republican contender who gained fame as a television evangelist, reported assets totaling somewhere from $330,000 to $870,000.

Douglas R. Forrester, the Republican contender, reported spending $10.4 million, almost all of which he made in the prescription-drug insurance business.