But the final package will doubtless be written late next month in a small room by a handful of Democrats.

The handful of Democrats from socially conservative states were reluctant to be perceived as voting against him on those grounds.

Only a handful of Democrats have been openly critical, and they have different reasons.

A handful of Democrats in Congress have seen fit to complain publicly.

Since then, a handful of Democrats holding statewide office have looked at the race and passed.

A handful of Democrats are talking privately about boycotting the event.

A handful of southern Democrats set aside all their qualms about a man who might sit on the highest court for 40 years.

During today's debate, a handful of Democrats made only oblique allusions to human failures.

A handful of Democrats and Republicans tried in vain to find common ground on a compromise.

A critical handful of Democrats will endorse the tax package agreed to yesterday.