Even U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde (R-III.), who has said in public that Congress might begin discussion of a draft after several months of ground war, has put a halt to speculation. "There is no need for the draft," his spokesperson said. "No one wants it."

The only member of Congress who deviated from the "no draft, no how" pledge last week was Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), chair of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, whose aides cited several news programs on which Nunn said that a war lasting several months would prompt discussion of the draft.

The executive branch, however, is holding fast. A spokesperson for the Department of Defense insisted that officials are not even considering the option. "There is no draft," he said, "and there has been no planning."

D. Richard DeSilva contributed to the reporting of this article.

Tomorrow: Part two examines the relationship between Harvard scholarship and the war in the Gulf.

Politicians are saying 'No draft. No way.' But what would it take for Congress to revive the draft? The answer is: Very little.