11.   Even Friday on what was supposed to be a partisan tour, Bush tried to soften the tone.

12.   Even Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., the chairman of the Judiciary Committee and the lead prosecutor, softened his tone a bit.

13.   Even the older members on the central bank council are getting the message and softening their tone on monetary union.

14.   Gephardt rapidly softened his tone, expressing the support for Clinton that was missing in his original neutrality.

15.   Gramm has been accused of being arrogant and mean, but in recent months, he has worked hard to soften his tone.

16.   He admitted being frustrated in the close contest, but softened his tone later.

17.   He has also appeared to belittle conservation efforts at times though he has recently softened that tone.

18.   He did so by softening his tone and proffering a form of apology demanded by Beijing.

19.   In those comments and others Wednesday, analysts said Greenspan seemed to be softening his tone by saying, for instance, that stocks were not necessarily over-valued.

20.   Iran has so far rejected the idea, though its new, more moderate president, Mohammad Khatami, has praised the Clinton administration for softening its tone.