Nor is it enough to reach the 60 votes needed to end debate on the issue if opponents mount a filibuster.

But they remain 7 or 8 votes short of the 60 needed to prevail if their opponents, as expected, mount a filibuster.

This time, opponents mounted a campaign.

But only 5 of the 32 drives opponents have mounted against the Colts breached the Indianapolis 20-yard line.

The opponents have challenged the tax in court and mounted a barrage of negative publicity.

If an opponent mounts a filibuster to block legislation, it takes 60 votes to cut off the debate and bring the bill to a final vote.

But even as the committee was opening debate, opponents in the House mounted a last-ditch and long-shot effort to quash the issue.

Jerry Crawford, president of the defeated union, acknowledged that its opponents mounted a stronger campaign.

And there was no immediate indication today that the plant's opponents would mount another last-minute effort.

She was absent from the city for more than 100 days during her first year in office and some opponents mounted an unsuccessful recall effort.