Mrs. Clinton's efforts do not stop there, her advisers note.

Mr. Spitzer, his advisers noted yesterday, has repeatedly said he has no plans to raise taxes.

It is an approach that, her advisers note, has worked for her so far.

The adviser noted that the President had not given those states any reward for their support, which would be crucial for his re-election.

The advisers also note that it makes some sense for a treaty banning nuclear tests to include the unofficial nuclear nations as well.

"It was not a major point of conviction for him," noted another longtime adviser, who like several others interviewed spoke only on the condition of anonymity.

The adviser noted that the interpretation of those figures also depended in large part on the period to which it was compared.

Some advisers note that the President has another option: he can do nothing.

And it is, as Mrs. Clinton's advisers noted, a full year before Election Day.

The President's chief economic adviser noted that improvements in unemployment generally lag economic growth.