One associate describes a visit by Maxwell to their house.

His associates described it as a test run for the mayoral contest of 2001.

The two hit it off immediately, creating what friends and associates describe as almost a father-son relationship.

But current and former associates describe her as infused with political aspirations almost from birth.

Former associates describe him as a loner with a taste for history books and classical music.

But several associates described him as a man driven by boundless ambition.

Associates described him as usually having a doleful look.

The president's associates describe him as eager not to rattle around the White House alone.

An associate to the Kingpin describes him as being simple, despite his scientific pedigree.

Associates described him then as ambitious and basically apolitical.