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...