Through much of Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, the governor and his advisers debated how to handle what they expected to be the coming lawsuit.

Mr. Clinton's advisers have also been debating how they can move the campaign debate beyond questions of Mr. Clinton's truthfulness and overall character to a direct challenge to President Bush.

His advisers debated what to do.

The President and his top advisers were anxiously debating the proper response to the crisis, and Mr. Reagan, in an uncharacteristic burst of interest, insisted: "Avoid specifics.

The White House is said to have made a half-dozen inquiries to potential candidates, as intelligence experts and President Reagan's advisers debate the qualifactions for the job.

During early discussions of this transition, Yeltsin's advisers debated issues of speed and sequencing, with an apparent division between those favoring a rapid approach and those favoring a gradual or slower approach.

At a meeting this afternoon at the White House, President Clinton's top advisers debated how they could cast a partial agreement as a victory if they could not announce a final deal.

At the same time, advisers debated what - if anything - they needed to do to deal with General Clark's success in New Hampshire.

At one stage, the President's advisers seriously debated letting the Israelis unleash their Jericho missiles on Iraqi territory.