It was also a crucial first test of whether Democratic loyalists here would stand behind him in a rematch with Mr. Bush in 2004.

"But the strategy does not appear to be swaying large numbers of voters beyond the Democratic loyalists."

Once the language is toughened to conform with the facts of Presidential misconduct, a few Democratic loyalists will drop off.

Of the winners, at least 30 are either incumbents loyal to Mr. Vallone or Democratic loyalists who came up through the party organization.

The Basinger-Baldwin affair will doubtless draw local Democratic loyalists and entertainers.

In a get-out-the-vote effort, the president has recorded messages that will be sent by computer to the telephones of Democratic loyalists.

But his rise to prominence, particularly among Democratic loyalists in the blogosphere, came during the Dean campaign, where he developed something of a cult following.

Rather than risk alienating voters elsewhere, Mr. Clinton is limiting his stops to states like this one, where he can mobilize Democratic loyalists.

Most Democratic loyalists would just as soon forget.

Americans who move between parties - known as swing voters - are being overshadowed by a growing and very motivated base of Republican and Democratic loyalists.