1.   But at least once before the American Classic debacle, the program became the object of unabashed political string pulling.

2.   But once she sees her son is serious about singing, Dolly pulls political strings to help his career.

3.   As an added attraction for other communist leaders, Zhu comes with no political strings attached.

4.   But critics in the United States are demanding that political strings be attached to the deal, and some are even calling for NAFTA to be renegotiated.

5.   However he stressed that these should come with no political strings attached.

6.   Iran said last week that it would accept humanitarian aid from all countries, including the United States, so long as no political strings were attached.

7.   Analysts here commented that Syria, which pulls the political strings in Lebanon, was unhappy at being caught off-guard by Hariri.

8.   Analysts here commented that Syria, which pulls the political strings in Lebanon, had disliked being caught off-guard by Hariri.

9.   As a result of the crisis, a cabinet meeting planned for Saturday was postponed and Hariri travelled to Syria, which pulls the political strings in Lebanon.

10.   Both sides are pulling top political strings.