21.   But politics already plays a role in choosing acting justices.

22.   But politics is playing a big role.

23.   But they said politics did not play any role in the final selections.

24.   But Weld denied that presidential politics played a role in his standoff with the Clinton administration.

25.   But White House advisers scoffed at suggestions that politics played a role in the assault.

26.   City officials denied that politics played any role in the decision.

27.   Clinton administration officials readily concede that domestic politics plays a part in the decision to trim the U.S. role.

28.   Company executives acknowledged Tuesday that politics may play a role in the current delay.

29.   Cynical politics no doubt plays an important role.

30.   Defense department officials said that politics did not play a role in their decision on the contract.