February 20, 2000

Politicians' determination to appear consistent at almost any cost discussed in light of John McCain's highly unusual willingness to evolve in public and admit mistakes both personal and political; political observer Susan Estrich sees fear that admission of weakness will be exploited; result this year is that only 33 percent of voters surveyed believe McCain says what he thinks people want to hear, compared with 38 percent for Bill Bradley and 61 percent who say that of both Al Gore and George W Bush (M)

New owners of 48 Wall Street, New York City, drop plan to convert office building into rental apartments; are instead refurbishing it as office building in response to growing need for commercial space and higher office rents; photo (M)

New York Islanders defeat New Jersey Devils, 4-2; photo (M)0

Terrence Rafferty article on Long Island as it has been portrayed in the movies, including Judy Berlin, forthcoming film by Eric Mendelsohn; photos (M)

Philippe de Montebello, director of Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Thomas Krens, director of Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, answer questions on their institutions, including expansion, exhibitions, financing and the Internet; photo (L)