Mrs. Whitman has repeatedly called Mr. Verniero the best-qualified candidate for the job.

We should have had our pick of the best-qualified candidates.

"Clearly, by any measure, I'm the best-qualified candidate."

The F.C.C. then awards the license to the best-qualified candidate.

These laws give selecting officials broad authority to review more than one applicant source before determining the best-qualified candidate based on job-related criteria.

The president seemed genuinely shocked that anyone could doubt his claim that his friend is the best-qualified candidate for the highest court.

After sifting through the applicants, the committee discovered that the best-qualified candidate was practically home grown.

Mr. Matheussen, who has been endorsed by the state Right to Life Party, said his work on health care legislation made him the best-qualified candidate.

And there are equally snide comments about Mayor Spencer's wife, who may or may not be the best-qualified candidate for her new job.

Mr. Richman says that he is "for all the people" and that the election should go to the best-qualified candidate.