With no statewide offices or big-name politicians up for a vote, history shows that most people simply tune out until right before Election Day.

Lost in the flutter over big-name politicians fighting for their lives in Texas and California and Virginia has been a nearly forgotten campaign that got into gear only a few days ago, amid murmurs of something that few people thought possible.

A nonpolitician celebrity who spoke uncommonly straight to the voters, Mr. Ventura came out of nowhere to beat two experienced, big-name politicians at a time of economic prosperity, and he did so as the nominee of a fledgling third party.

The Democratic National Committee released on Tuesday its lineup of the big-name politicians speaking at the convention this month, and it included every major Democratic star except one.

When the trustees of the Ford Foundation looked for a new leader to succeed Franklin A. Thomas, the foundation's longtime president, they did not reach for a big-name politician, a corporate titan or an Ivy League president.

One big-name politician in Washington who is frequently mentioned as a possible vice presidential contender was eager in an interview to make the case for why he would be a fabulous choice.

It is an axiom in American politics that the surest way to drum up enthusiasm on the campaign trail is to have a big-name politician at your side.

They also paraded big-name politicians and star-quality supporters before the cameras and drowned out commercials for consumer goods with advertisements extolling their candidates and assailing their opponents.

B1 Notable for Her Absence The Democratic National Committee's lineup for the big-name politicians speaking at the convention includes every major Democratic star except Hillary Rodham Clinton.

PAGE A8 A Speechless Clinton The Democratic National Committee released its lineup of the big-name politicians speaking at the convention this month, and it included every major Democratic star except Hillary Clinton.