Republican strategists had expected passage to be easier in the Senate.

Republican strategists were confident the Assembly would never pass it, giving them an issue to use in the election.

Republican strategists are worried that there might be more revelations.

Republican strategists have talked openly about their plans to do just that.

Republican strategists have made no secret of their desire to exploit the differences between the women and, if possible, to set them against each other.

Republican strategists admit they have a long way to go.

Republican strategists say they find no evidence that this latest Democratic assault is working.

Republican strategists say the party does not have to win a large chunk of the black vote to achieve success.

Republican strategists will make Democrats carry that burden into the elections.

Republican strategists argue that, for their candidates, passing a bill in the House takes the issue off the table.

A former Republican strategist warns of growing danger under the conservative coalition.

This time, Republican strategists voiced optimism, but acknowledged that eventually they had to find the votes on the floor.

Quayle, according to Republican strategists, decided to take action on his own.

Thus, to Republican strategists, the numbers appear to be deceptively simple.

By Wednesday evening, Republican strategists were admitting they probably could not stop the measure from passage.

The idea of using the surplus to pay for investment accounts has significant political appeal, Republican strategists and lawmakers said.

The point, Republican strategists said, is that the party can be far more competitive in the future.

It is not about the kind of issues that Republican strategists and candidates once calculated would bring down a sitting President.

But his visit had a larger political meaning as well, according to Republican strategists.

But to Republican strategists, that is not necessarily a bad thing.