But the alarmed aide seemed to understand that a photograph of the moment would not convey such distinctions and would yield to less flattering interpretations.

For the last couple of days Mr. Clinton and his aides have seemed in better touch with political reality.

Her digital aide seemed to give a casual, unconcerned twist.

His aides seem to age with considerably more speed than he does.

Democrats say Mr. Giuliani and his aides seem finally to understand that progress in the capital means finding a way to satisfy everyone.

Mr. Clinton and his aides now seem to have come down on the aggressive side.

Mr. Bush and his aides also seem to go to great lengths to underline the degree to which the president closes himself off from the news media.

His aides seemed to think facing traffic might be a better bet than any more questions on that score and hustled him away.

One said the President's aides seemed to have forgotten that they were no longer fighting for public opinion but "fighting for 20 Republicans."

But his aides seem plenty attuned to the growing number of voter surveys that telegraph that moment.