Still, Brown was not seen as a serious contender. Though he won points for his down-to-earth image, other Democratic candidates seemed annoyed at the air-time consumed by repeated pitches for his 800 number.

But Brown is nothing if not tenacious. When the field narrowed to him, Clinton and Paul E. Tsongas, Brown began to build momentum. And, face to face with Clinton after Tsongas bowed out, Brown captured Connecticut and Vermont.

New York was billed as a high pitched battle with Brown as the underdog. But, in that race, the man of many faces was slapped with the reality of his past.

There were extensive reports on his ever changing persona. The Los Angeles Times charged that Brown had given key judicial appointments to large campaign contributors while he was governor.

And even the name Edmund G. Brown Jr., which had served him so well on ballots in the past, confused Empire State voters who had come to know him as Jerry. He finished a disappointing third.

Brown has sounded tired and defeated on the campaign trial in recent weeks, and aides say he has not decided what to do next. He has talked on occasion about starting a permanent campaign for political reform like Ralph Nader's, but some wonder if Brown will want to labor politically when the media spotlight is off.

What persona Brown will take on next is anybody's guess. But almost assuredly he'll be back.

He's flexible.