However, in the weeks leading up to the 2008 general election, polls showed the race tightening, reflecting a general nationwide trend.

A possible explanation for the race tightening, the experts said, is the reluctance of voters here to back those considered front-runners.

Mr. Dole's advisers are inundating the traveling press with reports of polls showing the race tightening and upbeat assessments of their prospects.

"I do not see the race tightening," Mr. Marcus said.

When last-minute polls showed the race tightening, Bush forces put out an emergency call to the President, who can usually produce a small, short-lived lift for a candidate.

But the most recent polls show the race tightening and suggest that a large percentage of Germans are unhappy about the choices before them.

With the race tightening, attention is being focused on battleground states.

After reviewing fresh polls that showed the race tightening, the group relented, agreeing to finance two more weeks of commercials to help Senator Feingold.

With the race tightening, Dr. Dean, whom the polls had once shown as the front-runner, came under a biting attack from Mr. Gephardt.

However, with polls showing the race tightening, Vice President Cheney appeared at a campaign rally for the Republican ticket in Honolulu on October 31, 2004.