He has also hired as his media consultants Hank Sheinkopf, a pollster and veteran political consultant.

July 1996: She hires a veteran political consultant.

"I have no doubt whatever that he's in this for the long term," said Mr. Some, a veteran political consultant.

Eddie Mahe, a veteran political consultant, said he did not see the Iran-contra affair as a lasting issue that would determine votes.

"I don't think that it helps their gubernatorial chances not to have a geographic balance," said George Arzt, a veteran political consultant in the city.

"It's been a long, long time since we've seen a contest for district attorney," said Norman Adler, a veteran political consultant.

"It's the best thing that happened to George Bush," said Eddie Mahe, a veteran political consultant.

Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran political consultant, says, "Herman is incorrigibly fixed on one thing, and that is to be mayor."

David Garth, a veteran political consultant, said the outcome of the case "leaves Barry looking very much like the winner."

And for that, veteran consultants say, Mr. Ferrer's advisers bear some of the blame.