But the President, heeding Chinese demands, vetoed it last month, just as he sent his high-level aides off to China.

Mr. Bellino, a certified public accountant and a former special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was a high-level aide to President John F. Kennedy.

A high-level aide under mayor Biagio DiLieto, DeStefano first ran for the mayor's office in 1989, after DiLieto announced he would not seek re-election.

As a result, conservatives like Mr. Helms pressed the White House to appoint high-level aides to Dr. Sullivan who shared their vigorous, anti-abortion position.

Bliss was noted for his efficiency and skills as a high-level aide.

Several high-level aides have left his administration in recent months.

Smith has gone through over 200 high-level aides and staffers in her 18 years in the Senate, more than any other sitting Senator in New York State history.

Several other high-level aides also knew of the e-mail.

Although a high-level aide denied that Mr. Biden was contemplating withdrawing from the race, several Washington politicians here said they believed he was considering this possibility.

And it is not only high-level aides like Ms. Williams.