21.   British and Irish leaders are trying to devise a makeshift agreement to deal with Ulster Unionist complaints.

22.   Both leaders are clearly trying to steer a centrist course.

23.   Both legislators in South Carolina who switched to the Democratic Party complained that Republican leaders tried to force them to vote against education programs that their constituents supported.

24.   But at the same time that the alliance was stressing military victory, NATO leaders were also trying to push a diplomatic track.

25.   But in recent days, some party leaders have been trying to lower expectations.

26.   But it is clear that our leaders have tried to play games again, even as they offered their belated bursts of candor and remorse.

27.   But loyalist political leaders are trying to defuse the ongoing protest.

28.   But Republican leaders were trying to chip away at that support.

29.   But the House often does not meet on Mondays, which means Republican leaders could try to put the debate off until June.

30.   But that seemed oddly out of place in a gathering dominated by squabbling over abortion, an issue party leaders have tried to play down for years.