Meanwhile, for about 48 hours, the Republicans were relishing an unaccustomed role as the darlings of the government watchdog groups.

Republicans relished the contrast to Mr. Kean and Mr. Reagan, who campaigned in the state as avuncular leaders of a reborn party.

Republicans particularly relish taking on make-believe figures to win support from conservatives and buttress attacks on declining morals in the country.

Moreover, the aides asserted, Republicans would relish such a struggle as a way of escalating charges that the Democratic leaderhsip of the House was entrenched and autocratic.

Many Republicans in the House had never voted to raise the debt limit and didn't relish doing so now, so I had to take Gingrich's threat seriously.

They may be out of the White House, but, at least for now, the Republicans are relishing their new role making fun of President Clinton.

Republicans relished their philosophy of personal responsibility last week with John Belushi's famous mantra: Cheeseburgercheeseburgercheeseburger.

Republicans could relish the complex new evidence that the Democrats seem never to tire of finding ways to tarnish their chances for victory in November.

But it is all a bit bloodless, satisfying but not thrilling, for a party that relishes a good brawl the way the Republicans relish a good balance sheet.

The welfare bill is the only one where Republicans would relish a Presidential veto.