Morning Line

Last week's results added a few more wrinkles to what could be the first wide- open contest in a generation for the presidential nomination in both parties. Among them:

Mario Cuomo. He won re-election as New York State's Governor with a record- breaking 65% landslide, winning among all types of voters. Yet it was hardly an edifying performance. He seemed churlish about avoiding debates with a feeble G.O.P. challenger and lifted nary a finger for the rest of his ticket. Cuomo lost some of his luster among insiders and could face problems nationally if he continues to raise doubts about his temperament.

Gary Hart. The retiring Coloradan loses the opportunity to be a key player in the new Senate majority but gets the chance -- and the challenge -- to develop some themes that will resonate.

Joseph Biden. As a key member of the Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees, the Delaware Senator is sure to increase his national visibility and benefit from his party's yearning for new faces.

Sam Nunn. The new chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee will also get a lot of visibility. As an enormously popular Georgia moderate, he benefits from the impressive performance of his party in recapturing loyalty in the South.

Michael Dukakis. "The future's so bright I gotta wear my shades," said the Massachusetts Democrat after being re-elected Governor with 69% of the vote. His innovative initiatives and strong stance against nuclear power would make him a contender in the New Hampshire primary, especially if Cuomo falters.

George Bush. The Vice President's task seems a bit more difficult now that it is clear that Reagan's popularity does not transfer easily. But Bush helped elect new Republican Governors -- powerful in the primary process -- and many are his friends.

Robert Dole. Though his party's loss of the Senate will free him to travel more ("I won't have to be here to turn out the lights every night"), the Kansan loses the majority leader's platform that helped turn him into Bush's closest rival for the G.O.P. nomination in 1988. His adroit performance over the past two years was what helped him to seem so potentially presidential.

Jack Kemp. If Dole fades, the New York Congressman will get another shot at what he failed to do this year: become the prime alternative to Bush.

Paul Laxalt. His luster was dimmed by the loss of his handpicked successor in the Nevada Senate race. Even worse, he put his prestige and the President's on the line after ignoring party entreaties not to give up the seat.