The move was especially important for Mrs. Clinton, since her political standing had eroded seriously in her first weeks in office.

At the same time, the standing of his Socialist Party in the opinion polls has eroded.

Mr. Balladur has seen his standing in the polls for next month's presidential elections erode in part because of the problems of the giant bank.

That role reversal was as good a sign as any of how the two friends' political standing has eroded since they made the case together for war in Iraq.

But its economic standing has severely eroded over the past generation, culminating recently in the worst financial crisis in its history.

The Speaker's supporters are pushing for a vote next Tuesday before his standing erodes further with the public and among independent Republicans.

In that time, morale has slipped and his standing at the agency has eroded.

But his standing among colleagues has eroded somewhat in recent years, particularly after Republican losses in 1998.

Their standing has eroded considerably over the years, and most companies have little choice but to go along.

In recent months, Ms. Horan's standing had eroded.