And it left both conservative and centrist Republicans worried that the President has yet to find a direction on domestic policy.

The centrist Republicans I know - those few who are still around - tend to regard her as superficial.

But there was a crucial difference, said one centrist Republican who is watching but not participating in the governor's race.

The people who ought to care most - centrist Republicans, principled conservatives and the President - have let him get away with it.

A centrist Republican, he once observed, "When justice requires, I'm a liberal.

Here was a fiscally prudent Democrat who could win the votes of independents and even centrist Republicans.

If General Powell runs as a centrist Republican, the party could split.

Together with large numbers of centrist Republicans and Democrats, these independent-minded voters are neither conservative nor liberal in the traditional sense.

Mr. Bush also completed his administration's economic team by making three key selections, largely centrist Republicans.

They are pouring money into the race, she said, to show that centrist Republicans will fight conservative challenges to one of their leaders.