Say such a thing to a Dole adviser and you get an indignant denial, but it is half true.

"His most important function has already been accomplished," said one top Dole adviser.

One Dole adviser says this is because voters do not focus on someone until he has won the nomination.

"We just booted away the chance to finish the Bush campaign," said a Dole adviser.

"The Democrats can't get the 60 votes," one top Dole adviser said tonight.

"You're not likely to be hearing any numbers," warned one Dole adviser, who insisted on anonymity.

"You have Kemp, who's a nice guy himself," the Dole adviser said.

"I think Brock should be careful," a senior Dole adviser said today.

The game plan of the Dole advisers was to put President Clinton's character on trial in the last debate.

Roger Stone, the Dole adviser, says she not only did have a chance but still does.