51.   But even Democrats conceded that the groundwork had been laid for the least incendiary budget negotiations in recent memory.

52.   But he said he remained unhappy with the super-secret budget negotiations and vowed again to try to open up the process next year.

53.   But having been burned repeatedly by Clinton in past budget negotiations, Republicans have a strategy this year.

54.   But it goes to the heart of the current budget negotiations.

55.   But notably absent was Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri, the House Democratic leader, whom the administration had frozen out of the budget negotiations all along.

56.   But the aides said Pataki could support the utility tax cut during budget negotiations with legislative leaders, provided they find savings to make it possible.

57.   But the budget negotiations between the mayor and the City Council were concluded this week with remarkable ease and serenity.

58.   But when leaders arrived at the White House for budget negotiations Thursday afternoon, Clinton said he wanted to keep at least part of the tax cut bill alive.

59.   But this time the oratorical challenge to Clinton, in the midst of the budget negotiations, is to play to both hall and home.

60.   By finding ways around the debt ceiling until now, Rubin has successfully prevented the Republicans from using the threat of default as a lever in their budget negotiations.