The discussions are occurring amid intense political sparring in Washington about whether troops should be withdrawn and, if so, how rapidly.

Beyond the political sparring, the latest economic evidence actually depicts a decidedly mixed picture.

Senator Dole has been a principal player in the political sparring over the bill that would authorize Federal money for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

But if the Democratic primary is any indication, the public will have to sort through some heated political sparring.

In the tumultuous search for the next leader of the New York City schools, the system's issues and problems have largely been overshadowed by political sparring.

He and former councilman Michael Nutter, who is the current Mayor of Philadelphia, often engaged in public political sparring.

Before his election to the legislature, Doerge was involved in occasional political sparring.

The men were anxious to return, wearied of celebratory evenings that were more political sparring than entertainment.

Even if I had been sufficiently knowledgeable about the NHS funding system to counter his arguments, I still wouldn't have felt up to political sparring.