Mr. Gore's supporters said they were confident that he would excite voters once they saw him and Mr. Bush in conventions and debates.

But Bob Dole's harsh attacks on Bill Clinton for allegedly condoning this development failed to excite American voters.

And to be honest with you, the right person hasn't come along who can excite independent voters.

Obama's campaign said that Obama's method "is exactly the kind of change and new thinking that excites voters about an Obama presidency."

Beyond campaign tactics, he still seems to be grappling for a message to excite voters.

Mr. Forrester clearly doesn't excite voters the way Mr. Schundler does.

The Chicago mayoral campaign taught that it can take more to excite black voters than a black candidate supported by the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

The suspense, even if the actual decision was made by party power brokers in a smoke-free room, might excite voters and stimulate interest in the November election.

As a tactical matter, Republicans may be right to try to add to Mr. Dole's central proposal, a 15 percent tax cut that has failed to excite voters.

Beyond that, in his cautious efforts to avoid mistakes, Mr. Pataki may win some moderate votes but lose the chance to excite undecided voters.