Republican lawyers mounted vigorous defenses against lawsuits seeking to throw out absentee ballots from several Florida counties.

All were Republican lawyers except Bowman, a Democratic newspaperman.

But Republican lawyers said they believe the strength of Judge Sauls's opinion made it possible that the Florida court would not take the case at all.

Republican lawyers said they had identified 1,700 felons who had not received clemency yet were illegally registered to vote.

Republican lawyers emphasized how fragile the paper ballots are, how easily they might show the indentations that the Democrats argue were votes for Mr. Gore.

Two Republican lawyers responded by starting a 527 group called Football Fans for Truth.

Republican lawyers on the committee and some outside legal experts argued today that selective immunity for Congressional witnesses did not exist.

Republican lawyers said they, too, disagreed with the opinion, and found the timing suspicious.

But Republican lawyers are treating them very seriously indeed, defending against them as if they were stealth bombers on the legal horizon.

Republican lawyer and businessman Rob Couhig formerly owned the New Orleans Zephyrs, a minor league baseball team.