Mr. Dorgan said he was not impressed with the fact, given the change of party power, that they are talking.

But the changes they have agreed on, if they are really carried out, will poke a big hole in party power.

His campaign was weaker than expected, however, as many considered Miller's rightward shift a key factor in the party losing power.

And Professor Lewis said any loss of party power could not be blamed solely on a change in local rules.

And both groups planned to begin the convention claiming to be the legitimate source of party power.

In keeping with the emphasis on parliamentarianism there was the idea that party power should reside within the parliamentary leadership alone.

Yet these and other Democrats say that, in this era of new party power, there is enough limelight to go around.

Mr. Haider's resignation will cost him little in terms of party power.

But there is full leadership agreement to maintain strict political control and party power, with repression if necessary.

Some have argued that the Mexican political system, with a single party holding power for 65 years, is entering its final stage of decay.