11.   Sometimes the jokes are an escape valve for violent partisan passions, which rule the day in less humorous nations.

12.   Speaking at her weekly news conference, Reno said that she would ignore the inflamed partisan passions surrounding the election year inquiry.

13.   The Democrats will use technology, partisan passion and speed to parry Republican attacks and to exploit what they see as Republican policy weaknesses.

14.   This is traditionally the time when partisan passions are running less strongly and serious legislation has more of a chance.