"Gore has been more vocal about his positions and has acknowleged there are differences between he and the other candidates," said N.H. Press Secretary Mary Ellen Price.

Among the disputed issues is his support for humanitarian aid to the Nicaraguan rebels, known as the contras, and his support for the reflagging of Kuwaiti tankers in the Persian Gulf, Price said.

Gov. Bruce Babbitt (D-Az.) is also paying close attention to N.H., because like lowa, it has the capacity to "sling-shot candidates into the Super Tuesday primaries," said Babbitt's N.H. Campaign Director Michael N. Muir. The Babbitt campaign has spent more than $105,000 in N.H.

They also conceded to a Dukakis victory in the primary, citing the governor's high name-recognition and proximity to the state, but agreed that their objective is to finish a strong second.

Like the others, Sen. Paul Simon's (D-III.) campaign staff, who invested more than $39,000 in N.H., said the Duke must be able to pull in at least 60 percent in his own region to be considered a serious candidate.

Simon's N.H. Political Director James Coish said the senator will accept a second place finish, but said it is too early to predict the second-tier results of the primary.

While the Democrats are struggling among themselves to emerge in a strong second place victory, the Republican candidates are facing what could already be a two-man race.

In recent weeks, Bush has become a very visible candidate, and many political analysts said Bush was the clear winner in last Wednesday's Republican party debate in Houston. The Bush camapign has spent more than $87,000 in the state.

Kaufman said he expected the vice-president will do very well in the primary because he established himself in the 1980 presidential campaign. He called Bush "the best vice-president in history" and said in times of such in-depth character scrutinization, voters would be attracted by Bush's loyalty and "depth of experience."

Sen. Robert Dole's (R-Kan.) New England Press Secretary Paul E. Jacobson, agreed that the race is becoming a two-man race between Dole and Bush, and cited nation-wide polls showing Dole closing the gap between the vice-president in recent weeks.

While it is still unclear where the candidates standings are at this point, the senator still has to sharpen his image with voters. He has scheduled the announcment of his official candidacy in N.H. on November 9, and has waged a major effort to meet individually with voters.

"Perhaps Dole had too much of a harsh image, but we hope voters will find him relaxed, warm and humerous, as he truly is," said Jacobson. To improve voter perception of Dole, the campaign has spent more than $90,000 in the state.

Jacobson said Dole will do well in N.H. because while Bush has served a primarily "ceremonial role" since 1980, Dole has casted over 10,000 votes in the senate, and voters are looking for a hands-on president and manager.

The surprise third candidate in the GOP race could be the Reverend Pat Robertson. Robertson performed well in the Houston debate and political analysts said the lawyer and religious leader could gain in the polls.

"Robertson has the capacity to do for the Republican party what Jackson has done for the Democrats," Goldman said.