"We don't have to have a partisan, divisive fight about family values," Mr. Clinton said.

"People aren't geared up to have the old, big, divisive fights we used to have," Mr. Borosage said.

Mr. Clinton warned that a divisive political fight could deprive the nation of a historic chance to change the health care system.

MacDonald decided not to seek re-election as leader in order to avoid a divisive fight.

He averted a distracting and divisive fight at a time when both Congress and the Bush administration have better things to do.

"We hope that this will be the last chapter in this painful and divisive fight."

In an interview, Mr. Nickles sought to play down the prospects of a divisive fight on the issue.

Judge Wachtler also said he wanted to avoid a divisive and time-consuming fight with the bar.

Yellowtail was unable to prevent the dam's construction, which began in 1961, but won a modest increase in compensation to the tribe after a divisive fight.

But Mr. Wagner said it was not worth having a "divisive" fight over an acting chancellor.