The Carter campaign will try to hold Kennedy to the issues, suggesting there is no rationale for his candidacy.
If Democrats manage to get the focus on their substantive differences with the Republicans, however, polls on the issues suggest that they'll have a big advantage.
Mr. Levine said that the only research on the issue suggested that marijuana arrests played little role in driving down serious crime, and may in fact divert police resources.
And Mr. Bush's aides said Mr. Gore's reversal on the issue suggested that he was prepared to sacrifice principles to make a short-term political point.
The sparring over the issue suggested that the effects of the tax cut on the budget would continue to be a political issue throughout this year, and perhaps for years to come.
An EU diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, suggested that Lukashenko could, for domestic political reasons, be seeking a lower profile on the policy of closer engagement with Europe.
David Gergen, a longtime political strategist who has worked in both Republican and Democratic administrations, said the president's prolonged contemplation of the issue suggested he was moving beyond his thinking during the campaign.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, who joined in last-minute talks on the issue, suggested that London might respond by canceling a Zimbabwe tour next October by Britain's cricket team.
But the contradictory rulings, and the prospect of appeals from both sides of the issue, suggested that the law, the first of its kind, could be embroiled in the courts in the months ahead.
25 September: Peter Mandelson wades into the issue, suggesting that foreign ownership of British companies could damage the country.
Next City delves into the issue, suggesting that as a reminder of death, cemeteries are easy for cities to ignore.
