A possible disappointment in the GOP race, especially for those in the Northeast, is Rep. Jack Kemp (R-N.Y.), who early in the campaign was expected to make a strong showing, but has since faded into the pack of candidates.

But Kemp campaign officials said they still see the N.H. race as a two-man battle between Bush and Kemp, discounting Dole's influence. "He does not have very good organization," said Kemp's N.H. Campaign Director Paul A. Young.

While Young said Kemp only has name recognition of one-third of the N.H. voters, he said the figures will improve and will reflect in strong gains for Kemp in the primary. They have spent more than $57,000 in N.H.

Other GOP candidates have not written off the N.H. primary. They are expectedly optimistic about the vote, and said the race is still wide-open.

Gov. Pete du Pont (R-Del.) is campaigning heavily in N.H., spending more than $30,000. "Du Pont is willing to confront tough issues. He thinks the American people want to hear solutions, not feel-good rhetoric," said his N.H. Press Secretary Gordon H. Hensley.

Du Pont, calling himself the most specific of the candidates, has proposed climinating farm subsidies, said he will not raise taxes, and that he will take a harder line against the Soviets.

Another GOP candidate who has not separated himself from the pack is former Secretary of State Alexander Haig, who has regularly visited N.H., but is spending most of his campaign time trying to explain his past.

"We want to get rid of the take-charge issue," said Haig's N.H. Office manager Randi L. Joseph, referring to the attempted assassination of President Reagan in 1981, when Haig was quoted as having said he was in charge of the nation, ignoring a constitutionally established hierarchy that puts the Vice President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in power.

Joseph said the quote was taken out of context, and said Haig is interested in leadership for America, but not taking leadership from anyone else's hands.

Haig staffers are also trying to downplay the former general's image as a war-monger. "We have had 12 generals who became president, but none in war-time because they have all seen it first-hand," Joseph said. They have spent more than $24,000 on the N.H. campaign.