Born to Run

This class of Republican presidential candidates does not go light on the pageantry. Even their kickoff announcements or, in the case of George W. Bush and Elizabeth Dole, the announcements of their formation of an "exploratory committee," came with campaign-caliber fanfare.

CANDIDATE GEORGE W. BUSH

PRELUDE Rehearses speech with local reporters

VENUE Ballroom (Austin, Texas)

FLANKED BY George Shultz; Rep. J.C. Watts; Rep. Henry Bonilla

SPEECH Likens own "compassionate conservatism" to Lincoln's politics

AMERICANA Stage lined with Texas and American flags

MESSAGE Step aside and make room for the juggernaut

ELIZABETH DOLE

[PRELUDE] Resigns from Red Cross post; hires campaign manager

[VENUE] Convention center (Des Moines, Iowa)

[FLANKED BY] A teacher; a farmer; a 12-year-old girl who hopes to be President

[SPEECH] Quotes Reagan's "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"

[AMERICANA] Two high school bands; big photos of Dole with Reagan, Jay Leno and various military types

[MESSAGE] This is not your father's (or my spouse's) presidential campaign

ROBERT C. SMITH

[PRELUDE] Spends 1 1/2 years on a nationwide political tour

[VENUE] Regional high school (Wolfeboro, N.H.)

[FLANKED BY] A high school administrator; a former POW

[SPEECH] Likens own pro-life views to Lincoln's politics

[AMERICANA] High school band; American Legion guard; candidate's son sporting American-flag necktie

[MESSAGE] A hometown boy dreams the impossible dream

LAMAR ALEXANDER

[PRELUDE] Campaigns in '96 and never stops

[VENUE] Old state courthouse (Nashville, Tenn.)

[FLANKED BY] Governor Don Sundquist (Tenn.); Governor Mike Huckabee (Ark.)

[SPEECH] Quotes Reagan's "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"

[AMERICANA] American flags; candidate sporting all-American business attire

[MESSAGE] Lamar can play the seasoned professional as well as the plaid-shirted wag