Still no word on whether the nation's most prominent Republican would make it.
By 1982, he was a partner in his own law firm and had emerged as a prominent Republican.
There is "no blood lust in the country at the moment," as a prominent Republican put it.
His "career track," according to one prominent Republican, had always pointed toward running for governor in 2001.
They said one bomb was left at the wrong home, while the second targeted a local prominent Republican.
But several prominent Republicans said that hardball was exactly what the administration had played.
Baker has been married to the daughters of two prominent Republicans.
But many prominent Republicans argue that it is time for the party to assert some control over the process.
Some prominent Republicans have also become deeply concerned about the extraordinary influence of religious groups in their political party.
Later in the day, another prominent Republican was said to be weighing the prospect of joining the race.