Griffin received over 6,500 votes (a 16.4% share), beating the Liberal Democrats to third place, and finishing narrowly behind the Conservatives in second.

"It basically says to us that we're getting closer to beating the Democrats at their own game on the ground, but we're not there yet."

Clearly, Mr. Bush is having problems in attracting crossover votes, which he would need to beat the Democrats.

Mr. Rollins said as much right after he boasted that he had beaten the wily Democrats at their own game.

He received 6,552 votes (16% of those cast), beating the Liberal Democrats for third place, closely behind the second place Conservatives, who received 7,076 votes.

What beat the Democrats in 1994 wasn't the Contract With America.

But earlier this month, the commission declined to regulate these groups, and Republicans, failing to beat the Democrats, decided to join them.

The Republicans beat the Democrats at their own game, winning control of the Senate while widening their margin in the House.

Mr. Franks, who grew up in the state party, says he is "the only Republican" who can beat the Democrats in the fall.

That I beat the Republicans and the Democrats.