Those were phrases well-orchestrated and employed by Thomas supporters.

Opponents of the Thomas nomination are the sinister "Shadow Senate," while Thomas supporters are just plain folks.

Republicans quit defending Mr. Thomas the minute he put on his black robes, despite persistent attacks claiming that Thomas supporters "just don't get it."

Some might say the words show the opposite of what the Thomas supporters contend.

Like Senator Alan J. Dixon, whom Ms. Braun defeated, Mr. Specter was a Thomas supporter.

But, as he observed, the "jury" of Democratic Thomas supporters was meeting in Mr. Mitchell's office.

Senator Alan K. Simpson, a Wyoming Republican on the panel who is a Thomas supporter, said he had seen Ms. Wright's deposition and did not regard it as significant.

Indeed, while some senators thunder that enemies of the nominee leaked an F.B.I. report, only Senator Orrin Hatch, a Thomas supporter, did that.

"I hadn't been a Thomas supporter before, but I am now," said Mrs. Taylor.

Totenberg was confronted by one Thomas supporter, Republican Senator Alan K. Simpson, during and after the taping of an episode of Nightline.