That was precisely the case in recent weeks as traditionally fractious Democrats, looking toward a 2006 environment that they believe will favor them, managed to hang together on a series of issues.

The normally fractious Democrats have displayed unaccustomed unity.

But other leaders expressed concerns that defections among the always fractious Democrats might still snowball.

The job will require someone who can mend fences with fractious Democrats on Capitol Hill, Mr. Panetta said.

Yet colleagues respect his shrewdness, his willingness to let others advance themselves and their causes, and his ability to pull fractious Democrats together.

Not for 50 years, what's more, have the habitually fractious Democrats settled so early on their nominee.

In 2000, it looks as if New York's fractious Democrats may be united and energized behind Mrs. Clinton.

The fractious Democrats need those advantages, because their rank and file appears to want an organizational free lunch, complaining of weak leadership but unable to follow with any discipline.

But while the outlines of an agreement among the Senate Finance Committee's 11 fractious Democrats were clear, details remained muddy, and officials said no final accord had been worked out.

But she has weathered them and has generally held fractious Democrats together.