"In those bills they're voting for, there's usually a lot for their district," a House Democratic strategist said dryly.

House strategists said they expected the committee to vote against any resolution to stop the raise.

One House Democratic strategist said Republicans were making not only a substantive mistake but a political one.

A House strategist noted that while a Medicare drug bill has twice passed the House, it was by narrow margins in both cases.

"This is a long education process for the left," said one House Democratic strategist watching the Senate.

"He's been able to adapt the Foley style to legislative accomplishments," a House Democratic strategist said.

"It was the New Democrats who went South on him first," a House Democratic strategist said.

As one House Democratic strategist put it, "It's all contingent on his numbers."

One House strategist, however, said passage of the accord before adjournment was still a strong possibility.

"That's what I get asked about the most in the last few weeks," the House strategist said.