1.   An ideal date means maximum leverage in negotiations.

2.   Each side wants to go to the negotiating table with a map that gives it the maximum leverage.

3.   For weeks, administration officials have been saying they wanted to reserve their biggest gun for maximum leverage.

4.   Furthermore, as a practical matter it is at the local level where commercial interests exercise maximum leverage, often to the detriment of the public lands.

5.   Having fewer banks and further promoting relationship banking brings maximum leverage to a company with large deposits, Kearney said.

6.   The extension suggests that the government is seeking to maintain the maximum possible leverage over Milken while the SEC completes its inquiry.