1.   But as more information emerged, law enforcement officials began dampening speculation that the incident was connected to the abortion controversy.

2.   His equivocal response has done nothing to dampen the speculation.

3.   It also dampened recent speculation that Tabai was seeking lucrative jobs outside Kiribati.

4.   Attorney General Janet Reno sought to dampen speculation about responsibility for the bombing and would not comment on the evidence gathered so far.

5.   Administration officials went out of their way Thursday to dampen speculation about possible Haitian government involvement in the killing.

6.   But Bush sought to dampen that speculation, saying he was presently inclined to run again.

7.   Corn and soybeans could fall after export sales dropped last week, dampening speculation that global demand for U.S. crops is rising.

8.   Despite repeated efforts by Northern Alliance officials to dampen speculation about an imminent ground offensive on the capital, there were the first signs here of preparations for battle.

9.   For his part, Gov. Bush has done nothing to dampen speculation that he might just tap a fellow governor to run with him if he wins the nomination.