It suggests that Mr. Lynch and two other high-ranking aides were less than forthright with the investigators about what they knew and when.

But former high-ranking aides to Mr. Fernandez disputed this account.

"I want my Presidency back," he said, according to a high-ranking aide who recalled the plaintive mood.

"This is a signal that we are going to put an end to impunity," one high-ranking presidential aide said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

As another high-ranking aide said, "There has always been concern that he might be more willing to deal than to protect core principles."

But high-ranking aides to the President fared much worse, with 15 of 21 members of his Cabinet defeated for re-election.

The question of Mr. Natcher's resigning "didn't come up," a high-ranking Congressional aide said.

Karlsen's high-ranking aides were wrangling and shouting now, about groundcar transportation to the staff meeting.

Restoring funds for the arts became the governor's first priority for both personal and political reasons, a high-ranking aide to the governor said.

"He's not really a deal maker, and he doesn't like to compromise," said one high-ranking Democratic aide.