One year before the first 1996 primary, here is a look at Republican presidential hopefuls and potential candidates in the early running. The first seven spoke at a candidate forum last night in New Hampshire.
BOB DOLE of Kansas, Senate majority leader -- Been around track, without success, as Gerald R. Ford's 1976 running mate and '80, '88 presidential hopeful. This time, selling leadership and experience, he's the early favorite.
Selling points: Consummate Washington insider. Decisive. Great fund-raiser. It's his turn.
Criticisms: Turns 73 in 1996. Sure, he's a leader, but does he know where he wants to take us? Consummate Washington insider.
PHIL GRAMM, senator from Texas -- Free-market conservative set fast early pace, scaring others from race. Wooing religious right with Reaganesque message and take-no-prisoners style.
Selling points: Smart. Tireless. Solid funding base. Slick phrasemaker.
Criticisms: Too mean. Too Southern. Too ugly. Too new to presidential politics.
LAMAR ALEXANDER, former governor of Tennessee -- Last job was running Education Department under President Bush; now he wants to abolish it. Waging populist, anti-Washington campaign to slash pay of Congress and send them home for half the year.
Selling points: Thoughtful. Likable. Outsider. Free to campaign full-time.
=1 Criticisms: Unknown. May have money problems.
DICK LUGAR, senator from Indiana. Foreign policy whiz once seen as presidential material, before falling into the shadow of fellow Hoosier Dan Quayle. With domestic concerns likely to dominate in '96, he'll have to shift focus or risk getting left behind. A long shot.
ARLEN SPECTER, senator from Pennsylvania. Drew headlines, and feminist ire, for tough questioning of Anita Hill in Clarence Thomas hearings. The only abortion-rights candidate in the GOP race. A long shot.
PATRICK J. BUCHANAN, TV commentator. 1992 protest candidate took on George Bush in New Hampshire and made him look weak; fiery speech to Houston convention made party look intolerant. A wild card.
ROBERT K. DORNAN, representative from California. Conservative with glib, confrontational style may provide comic relief, little else.
PETE WILSON, governor of California. GOP heavyweight in nation's largest state would be a serious contender, if he runs. His push for tough anti-immigrant law blunts conservative criticism, but pro-abortion-rights stance hinders chances.
WILLIAM F. WELD, governor of Massachusetts. Another abortion-rights backer, won't run if Mr. Wilson does. Reputation as a welfare reformer and home base next to New Hampshire could make him a contender, despite conservatives' doubts.