Mr. Mobutu is a master of co-opting would-be opponents.

I remained poised but calm, watching the eyes of my would-be opponent, which he finally lowered while he backed away.

She stalked to the challenger's pavilion, where more of her would-be opponents had gathered, and cast the hand down at their feet.

But Michael Nunn, another would-be opponent, was conspicuous by his silence.

Besides, he added, a lot of the would-be opponents "are friends of Amo."

By contrast, the Governor enjoys large leads in the polls and in fund-raising over his would-be Democratic opponents.

Trap your would-be opponents into the "I'm thinking positively and all those who oppose me are stalwarts of negativity" game.

These statistics are the rhetoric of a would-be opponent and unsupported by the facts.

Alanna bent to strip away her boots and stockings, examining her would-be opponent.

Mr. D'Amato's would-be opponents say they plan to remind voters about the pledge in the fall.