1.   And Scanlon has his staunch defenders.

2.   As assistant attorney general for civil rights, Patrick has been a staunch defender of policies intended to benefit women and ethnic and racial minorities.

3.   As Senate Majority leader, Dole was a staunch defender of a favorite target of corporate-welfare critics.

4.   Both senators have been staunch defenders of the president.

5.   Bradley has long been a staunch defender of affirmative action, as has been his opponent, Vice President Al Gore.

6.   But six lawmakers, led by Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., a staunch defender of congressional power, rushed to court to challenge the law.

7.   But Microsoft also had its staunch defenders, especially in the form of local politicians, Eastside residents and rank-and-file Microsoft employees.

8.   But that policy has created a feeling of betrayal among many Brazilians that their government, long a staunch defender of its currency, had conceded defeat.

9.   Clinton still has his staunch defenders, like Rangel.

10.   Even staunch Indian defenders concede that the riches attached to federal recognition have given the people of Connecticut reason to be skeptical.