It is precisely that commitment that leads Bush campaign strategists to believe that the election could pivot on the support of anti-abortion voters.

What that suggests, many people in politics say, is that anti-abortion voters have largely accepted that the battle is not over the central question - should abortion be legal?

The immediate problems seem especially severe for Republicans, who have profited from strong support from anti-abortion voters without paying much of a political price from those who favor abortion rights.

Protectionist, xenophobic, anti-abortion, Buchanan voters are deeply committed.

But in some states half of all anti-abortion voters have been supporting Mr. Dole.

But Mr. Schundler has built a loyal following among the anti-abortion and pro-gun voters who dominate the primaries, and Republican candidates will need their support.

Dr. Walrath is courting the anti-abortion, anti-gun-control voters in this upstate New York district that ranges from the Finger Lakes to the western Adirondacks.

Nearly two-thirds of the most vehement anti-abortion voters went to Mr. Bush; in New Hampshire, competing in a more crowded field, he got one-third.

Others disagreed with the supposition that a large block of anti-abortion voters exists.

Mr. Dole has competed successfully with Mr. Buchanan for the support of anti-abortion voters, offering himself as a mainstream conservative with "a strong pro-life record."