The clear gainers are party moderates, who hold the balance of power.

No one interviewed explicitly criticized Mr. Bush for making overtures to party moderates.

In practice, party moderates say a New Democratic government would be likely to concentrate on "bread-and-butter" issues such as tax and education policies and child care.

After the frantic bargaining between House Republican leaders and party moderates on Wednesday, there was relatively little drama in today's vote.

He also said that as Republican whip in the House in the 1980's, he enjoyed good relations with party moderates.

His political skills have already won him praise even from party moderates who were leary of his impact on the party.

Mr. Burch was eventually replaced as chairman after party moderates insisted that the party needed a "new look."

So party moderates decided to mount the first challenge in a chairman's race in 28 years.

Sam Brownback, a Republican House freshman, won the primary, but not without angering party moderates.

Once he was the darling of party moderates; now he champions conservatism.