For Mr. Kerry, whose own Democratic nominating convention last month showcased his combat credentials to bolster his case for being commander in chief, the veterans in Nashville represent a critical constituency.

The other critical constituency in the situation is the group of creditors, who are owed about $43 million by The News.

The donors are a critical constituency of the Republican Party.

In addition, he said, the government sponsors and the private developers have to pay more attention to designing projects that have broad appeal to an array of critical constituencies.

Senators who are worried about the reaction of middle-class elderly voters - a critical constituency that turns out heavily in off-year elections - will probably find this approach appealing.

Fueling the demand for a partnership is the fact that blacks and other minorities make up a critical Democratic constituency in Connecticut that could stay home on Election Day even if it did not vote Republican.

Mr. Gore has supported the bill, but has been less fervent than the President, trying to avoid the wrath of organized labor, a critical Democratic constituency.

Prescription drugs loom large politically because they are a top concern of critical constituencies - the elderly, and the generation aging just behind them.

When he campaigned, Dr. McMahon promoted his concern about health care, which Mr. Lazio's advisers say strongly appealed to swing voters and women, another critical constituency.

It also engages a critical constituency in the formation of the new Eurasian security order: the Russian military.