Echoes of the Bork battle reverberated in the committee room this afternoon.

But without referring to the Bork battle, he said it was important to guard against a "chilling effect" on law professors' freedom to express their views.

The Bork battle is more hazardous for the White House - and potentially more rewarding.

Their dilemma is rooted in their victory in the Bork battle, which may prove to be something of a two-edged sword.

Both sides have also grown in sophistication and resources since the Bork battle, from their online networks to their networks of churches.

Politicians, academics and the press - including me - have pictured the Bork battle as one of the major crises of the Reagan years.

The Bork battle, too, pits liberals against conservatives, which is extremely useful in raising money.

Moreover, demonstrating their tenacity amounts to psychological warfare, a warning that any fight over a future nominee would be as bruising as the Bork battle.

Administration officials seem to be kicking themselves for not pressing the Bork battle on ideological grounds.

"It's the 10th year of the Bork battle."