"I have been amazed at the change," said Tanya Melich, a veteran of Republican politics in New York.

At the very least, the involvement of these veterans of national politics assures one thing: It will not be pleasant.

Each is in his 50's or 60's and a veteran of local politics.

Two veterans of Liberal politics, both wealthy businessmen, were contesting the leadership.

But for all that, the vote is a tricky moment for Mr. Chirac, a charismatic veteran of French politics.

All that said, veterans of politics say California's lack of news coverage plays a big part.

Mr. Chirac is a 30-year veteran of French politics who has based his career less on ideas than on his simple familiarity to voters.

So the two veterans of hard-nosed Communist politics got together in Sochi and agreed in principle on most of their disputes.

A veteran of imperial politics, he knew the usual fate of failed rebels.

He is well-liked by veterans of Democratic politics, and one of his key supporters has been helping Senator Biden's campaign.