Some shows, the ones short on snickers and put-downs (those are for Jimmy Kimmel), actually require a good-natured, rosily complexioned and hefty lead.

With little presidential campaigning in Kentucky because of Mr. Bush's hefty lead there, many conservative voters might have stayed home if it were not for the proposed amendment, analysts said.

Most polls before the election were showing Josipović with a hefty double-digit lead, but never as much as 20 percentage points as he achieved during the election.

He got good reviews for naming Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate; they both gave good speeches; and the ticket left Atlanta with a hefty lead in the polls.

He began making blanket substitutions, and the team's opponents took a hefty lead in the second quarter.

Polling in the state gave a hefty and large lead to Republican John McCain over Democrat Barack Obama.

He had a three-hitter, a hefty lead and a successful curveball, and he was enjoying his start against the Milwaukee Brewers last night at Yankee Stadium.

Tony Rominger of Switzerland, with a hefty lead of better than four minutes heading into today's final stage, appeared assured of the overall victory.

Juventus nearly squandered a hefty lead before reviving to win the Serie A title, only to fall under investigation for match-fixing, with Nedved hinting at retirement.

It is the Orioles' heftiest divisional lead since 1979, and their 38-15 record has rekindled memories of 1969, the last time they sprinted to such a formidable start.