Nevertheless, he is a charismatic campaigner with strong support in several western rural provinces and among several powerful governors and members of Congress.

Mr. Reston finds that the lottery's popularity among governors is increasing as their need for money grows.

Mr. Bush made such a proposal last year, but it gained little traction in Congress or among governors.

Whatever their measure of power, scholars generally agree that among governors, New Jersey's is at the top of the list.

Among Republican governors, there was significant resistance to Bush.

But Governor Celeste summed up the more common view: "It's an orphan among governors."

This was indeed practiced in the area among pre-Hispanic governors as a sign of their status.

He was also a leader among governors from neighboring states.

Among governors, 32 are Republicans, 17 are Democrats and 1, in Maine, is an independent.

The idea became popular in the early 1980's among business executives, governors and others seeking ways to improve public schools.