51.   In a rare show of bipartisanship, Southern Democrats and Republicans closed ranks Thursday to defend the federal program that supports peanut growers.

52.   In short, the fraternity closes ranks and Lieutenant Coughlin becomes the pariah and object of ridicule.

53.   In the days after the strike, as criticism mounted, the administration closed ranks, publicly asserting that the intelligence was persuasive.

54.   In the past, when officers were charged with crimes, the department often just closed ranks.

55.   In the rest of his life, it seems, Tyson has broadened his outlook while closing ranks around a few trusted friends.

56.   In the short term, analysts here said, Israel is sure to close ranks around its leader.

57.   Instead he closed ranks with the party to help it win the election next year.

58.   Indeed, Democrats began to close ranks behind Torricelli on Thursday.

59.   Instead, the board closed ranks behind Spindler, who argued for keeping Apple independent, and Graziano chose to quit.

60.   It may be easy to figure who was closing the ranks, not to mention the mouths, at Hofstra University.