One adviser described Iowa as a "shakedown tour" for the Bradley organization.

Most pardons are not controversial; one former presidential adviser has described them as the "housekeeping business" of the presidency.

Mr. Bush's advisers have in recent days described him as champing at the bit to get back into the fight.

An adviser to one prominent Democrat describes the mood among those senators as "increasing unease."

He and other financial advisers described some common tax-inspired gaffes.

One senior adviser described the escape to Tokyo as "an opportunity made in heaven."

Publicly, Mr. Clinton's advisers describe the national expectation level as a great opportunity.

At the same time he has embarked on what his advisers described as an all-but-certain campaign to win the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004.

Mr. Bradley's advisers described his new line of attack as part of a calculated strategy developed in the past two weeks.