Reform advocates say that if Massachusetts passes its elections initiative, it will attract attention purely because of the state's political heft.

Asked if his lean week had bolstered his political heft, he said: "I don't think it makes any difference.

Mr. Moynihan lends his political heft as an elder statesmen.

They suggest that such a reading misses much of its profundity, darkness, and what Smith calls its "political heft."

The two protégés have significant political heft of their own.

It is possible that Germany's decision to throw its considerable political heft behind a new candidate and campaign publicly for him will work this time.

The primary will be an important barometer of Mr. Booker's newfound political heft.

As they see it, not one of the contenders for the Republican nomination has the political heft to beat either of the Democratic hopefuls.

But doubts linger as to whether Mr. Fisher has the political heft to win in November.

In that, it is hardly alone, for the teachers union and others in the city exert similar political heft.