It was Mr. Nader, they say, who drained votes away from Mr. Gore in critical states like Florida and New Hampshire, throwing the White House to Mr. Bush.

She said attacks on her integrity were "absolutely" hurting, draining votes from her to one of her opponents in the race, State Attorney General Robert Abrams, who is second in most polls.

The Texan is a leading opponent of censure, fearing, in part, that if such an alternative were offered, it would drain away undecided votes for impeachment.

Taylor's image as the conquering hero won the popular imagination, and with Van Buren's third party draining Democratic votes from Cass, Taylor was elected.

They concede that Mr. Buchanan has a more appealing record on abortion, but say that he would only drain votes from the Republican nominee.

Many Gore advisers said they were furious at Ralph Nader, the Green Party candidate, arguing that he drained enough votes from the vice president to potentially cost him Florida.

Ralph Nader, the Green Party candidate, threatens to drain votes from Mr. Gore in states like Wisconsin, Minnesota and Washington, and that has contributed to the competitiveness.

IF censure becomes an option, it could drain votes from their cause.

But they have declined to do so because they fear it could drain crucial votes from the impeachment side.

That could drain votes from Mr. Bowles and reduce the size of the plurality Mr. Blue would need to win.