Ordinarily, a party leader's path to an Election Day victory is a relatively clear one, assisted by the wide backing of his party's foot soldiers.

But Republicans will be ready with a substitute that could command wide Democratic backing.

Other measures with wide backing include a ban on large-capacity ammunition clips.

But he has not secured wide backing and appears to have lost votes in the center and on the left.

As a result, it has garnered wider backing in the Council.

But despite wide backing - from Christian evangelists to liquor store owners - they fell short of the votes needed to limit debate.

It appears to have wide backing.

His proposal has won wide backing in Europe.

Father Aristide, who is 38 years old, still enjoys wide backing from the nation's poor masses.

The rebels are also said to have wide backing among the state's 55 million people, predominantly Tamil.