"He absolutely has to win New York," Mr. Moynihan said, adding that a victory remained possible but "it will take intensive campaigning."

Then, faced with a disappointing response to his intensive campaigning, he said he needed "a good, strong second."

Before the introduction of television, almost all of a party's resources would be directed towards intensive local campaigning and get out the vote initiatives.

There had been intensive campaigning by the proponents of each city over the preceding months.

Only by dint of heavy spending on television commercials and intensive personal campaigning have his rivals overtaken him.

This week, after months of intensive campaigning, Mr. Labastida has taken the lead in the polls.

The third week opened with a major speech in Quebec City, followed by intensive campaigning in Ontario.

He has lagged in polls here, climbing no higher than fifth or sixth place despite intensive campaigning.

Mainland analysts say that intensive campaigning sometimes forces candidates in Taiwanese political races to embrace policies that lean toward independence.

That said, the hallmark of Mrs. Clinton's race for the Senate in New York was her intensive campaigning across the state for almost a year.