However, Ceaser said Buchanan's win last night will not go unnoticed, especially since little is happening elsewhere.

"There's no international crisis, not even a snowstorm," said Ceaser. "It will be significant."

However Porter, who teaches the popular Government course, "The American Presidency, downplayed the significance of the Louisiana caucus, because of the absence of the two Republican frontrunners, Dole and Forbes, and next week's Iowa caucus.

"What you want to do is do well in the primaries that help to build momentum," Porter said yesterday afternoon. "The winners in New Hampshire and Iowa will be greatly advantaged in subsequent primaries."

The majority of Louisiana's 30 delegates to the GOP's national convention in San Diego this August were determined last night, with nine more delegates to be selected in a March 12 primary.

Although the actual number of delegates are not particularly significant, Ceaser suggested that the decision by some candidates not to visit Louisiana could come back to haunt their party as a whole when national election time rolls around.

"When Clinton passes through, he will mention that these guys didn't show up for their caucuses," he said. "It will be remembered in November."

Last night's win by Buchanan followed his surprising victory in a January straw poll in Alaska.

In Alaska, Buchanan, not only beat Dole and Forbes, but also relegated Gramm, his fellow conservative in the race, to a dismal fifth place finish