Republicans and Democrats, flailing to cut Mr. Perot down to size, hope to emphasize the stature gap.

Along the way, Democrats assert Mr. Kerry is also addressing the problem of every challenger to an incumbent president - the stature gap.

But Republicans disputed the notion that the stature gap had narrowed.

Vice President Al Gore, in years past Republicans would always talk about a stature gap.

There's no longer any stature gap between the two of them.

There's also a stature gap: Weld's big-time, a tough prosecutor, a former governor.

I think there's a huge stature gap, but I'll keep my mind open.

"Appearing with Cuomo and holding his own would close the stature gap."

Unfortunately, while de Sabata and most of the principals are perfectly fine, there is a severe stature gap in the title role.

The problem is, can Pataki close the stature gap?