By nearly every measure, the Vice President is still the odds-on favourite -- he can raise loads of money, organise key activists and tap the political powers of the White House.

Yet his rivals see weakness. Their supporters point to a recent poll showing Gore's advantage over Democrats slipping in New Hampshire, and another that had Republican Governor George W Bush of Texas ahead of the Vice President in a head-to-head matchup.

They also note that Gore may soon have his own special prosecutor investigating allegations of wrongdoing in the 1996 Presidential campaign. Yet the Vice President and two potential challengers showed no sign of division as they addressed the Democratic National Committee (DNC) yesterday. Gore, House minority leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri and civil rights activist Jesse Jacksonunleashed a united attack on how Republicans are handling the Lewinsky inquiry. Jackson accused Republicans of judging ``character through a keyhole.''

Gephardt said Republican lawmakers can only promise ``two more years of inquiries and investigations.''

Typically loyal, Gore called President Bill Clinton ``my friend'' and accused Republicans of wallowing in ``investigations and personal attacks.'' Jackson was the only speaker to mention the Presidential race, promising to push the agenda of Americans in most need. ``I have not decided to run the race in 2000, but I will set the pace in 2000,'' he declared.

Nearly every potential Gore rival has had a voice in the Lewinsky affair. Each wrestles with the same dilemma: denounce Clinton and risk alienating primary voters, or go easy on him and risk falling behind the political curve.

Gephardt, as leader of the Democratic effort to win back the House, at first talked seriously about impeachment. He was trying to shield Democratic candidates from theLewinsky fallout, but has been more supportive of Clinton lately.

Senators John Kerry of Massachusetts and Bob Kerrey of Nebraska have tried to appear statesmanlike. Jackson, typifying the overriding sentiment of black voters, has strongly supported Clinton.

Gore's loyalty may be improving his standing among hard-core Democratic voters who are crucial in Presidential primary elections. ``The African-American community feels that loyalty is important, and Gore is nothing if not loyal,'' said DNC member Lisa Webb, an aide to Detroit mayor Dennis Archer. ``I think those who are keeping a distance (from Clinton) are making a mistake.''

Without lifting a finger, the Vice President may also benefit from people hedging their bets in case Clinton resigns. Gore allies say some donors and activists are signing up in case he becomes President sooner rather than later.

On the downside for Gore:

He has lost support, at least temporarily, among swing voters who have turned against Clinton.

If Clinton'sjob approval rating begins to fall, Gore may be hard-pressed to keep his polls numbers afloat, because he is so closely tied to the President's agenda.

The controversy may hurt Gore's ability to define why he should be President.

Gore backers point to polls showing that his approval rating is high, and Democratic voters nationwide favour him over potential rivals by large margins. They say he probably would benefit if there is a large Democratic field dividing up the votes of people who want a change from the Clinton-Gore administration.