One Democrat speculated that might be the ultimate Republican goal.

And even though today's formal break had been long anticipated, Democrats speculated that the timing of the Governor's announcement was prompted by other political motivations.

Some fellow Democrats speculate that he will require that President Bush next year propose an increase in the income tax rate.

Democrats are speculating about how much money will come in at fund-raisers (some say at least $2 million) and who will share in the bounty.

Some Congressional Democrats speculated that the President might choose a Senator in an effort to assure a speedy confirmation.

Some Democrats speculated that the incident had been engineered by Republican strategists.

Some Democrats speculated the Senate version of the rent bill was a bargaining stance intended to be traded for something else yet to be made public.

Democrats in Texas, meanwhile, speculated that the sending of the materials was a dirty trick by the Bush campaign to embarrass the Gore campaign.

For the last few weeks, Democrats throughout New York City have speculated on the array of candidates and potential entrants in next year's mayoral race.

Democrats speculated that a victory would pave the way for them to take over the Senate by converting two Republican senators.