EAGER to court each of the state's political fiefs, he is supporting development projects at seemingly every turnpike exit.

It would also be a plum to the city that has been the base of his political fief during his nearly 30 years in politics.

Many of the Senate's 20 committees boast seven or eight subcommittees, carved into tiny political fiefs like "ocean policy study," "superfund, ocean and water protection" and "merchant marine."

The government-financed universities have always enjoyed near-total autonomy, and some have become political fiefs.

The United States has supported the Taif accord, tacitly acknowledging Syria's primacy in a neighboring country that Damascus regards as its diplomatic and political fief.

This alliance made the UDR a conglomerate of political fiefs, uniting Alingué's personal Tandjilé base with his allies following in Moyen-Chari.

Christine Todd Whitman took her Republican campaign for governor into Camden, the heartland of Gov. Jim Florio's political fief, yesterday.

Before the Marxist coup here in 1978, Afghanistan was a mosaic of political, military and tribal fiefs.

The demolition aspects of Mr. Street's plan, if it is to succeed, will necessarily be directed at some of this city's political fiefs as much as its timeworn neighborhoods.

New York's many political fiefs are not known for their ability to set aside their own narrow interests and pull together for the common good.