The surprising showing of extremist parties, however, overshadowed the fortunes of individual politicians.

But what propelled her to the level of gubernatorial politics was her surprising showing in a 1989 race against Senator Bill Bradley, a Democrat.

But generational differences in musical taste aside, Mr. Buchanan's surprising showing in the New Hampshire primary, no doubt, has shaken both the White House and the Republican establishment.

The husband defended his wife in a surprising showing of open-mindedness for a man from this part of the world, where rape victims and their families are almost always silent.

The title wrapped up a surprising showing from Vaughan, who held a lead entering the weekend for the first time in his career when he took a one-shot advantage into the third round.

(He finished second to Senator Edmund S. Muskie in the 1972 primary, but his surprising showing helped propel him to the Democratic nomination.)

French commentators have compared the phenomenon to Patrick Buchanan's surprising showing in the U.S. Republican primaries.

His surprising showing, along with 3 percent for a breakaway rightist, suggests there is a firmer core of hard-right sentiment than was previously suspected.

The Williams sisters owned Wimbledon, our soccer team made a surprising showing in the World Cup and there were more Americans in the field at the Open than any other nationality.

For Some, a Clear Message For some, the message of Mr. Duke's surprising showing was clear.