And it is not so easy to say no to a group whose support all the candidates are seeking.

Many candidates seeking to replace him would face a similar risk.

Candidates seeking the party's nomination are, he makes clear, expected to pay him court.

Four major candidates, including Clay, sought the office of president.

He led a field of 26 candidates seeking the five commission posts.

Several candidates sought to become the party's 2008 presidential nominee.

For the most part, the candidates sought to use every opportunity to utter their standard campaign lines.

Opponents said it would have created huge campaign costs as candidates sought to reach out to the union's 121,000 members.

For that reason candidates often seek many more than the required number of signatures.

Both candidates have sought to make the most of this juggling act all week.