In this case, supporters of the arts endowment in the Senate include very conservative Republicans as well as the core of Democratic backers.

Meanwhile, Republicans turn against censure, accusing its Democratic backers of "seeking cover" for voting to acquit President Clinton.

Democratic backers of the measure immediately declared the White House's move to be a victory for supporters of the Democratic Presidential nominee, Gov. Bill Clinton.

But in the end, traditional Democratic backers, including union members, women and voters in Essex and Hudson counties, turned out in big numbers.

No matter how well he did, Mr. Jackson would peel away the support of black voters, who are among the more loyal Democratic backers.

Forty percent of his Democratic backers said their minds were made up, while 59 percent said it was too early to be certain.

That support is expected to grow in coming weeks as Democratic backers, many of whom remained neutral until a nominee emerged, begin to wade into the race.

The five-bill package failed when its Democratic backers fell 6 votes short of the 41 needed.

The vote was 7 to 0 against the bill, with four Republicans joining three Democratic backers of a Canadian-style system in which the government pays for the health care of its citizens.