1.   Blaming the delay on preparing extras is no excuse.

2.   Airline officials blamed the delays on runway repairs and bad weather.

3.   But a leading Democrat blamed the delay on presidential politics, and critics in the administration said the lapse might effectively kill the legislation.

4.   Chinese exporters blamed delays in tax refunds and a stronger yuan against other currencies for slowing export growth.

5.   Clinton administration officials had blamed any delays on computer problems.

6.   Cornell officials say the opening delay can be blamed on weather-related construction problems that are no different from those that routinely occur with any large building project.

7.   DOE officials blamed the delay in starting the shipments on packaging problems at Rocky Flats, rather than pressure from Hodges.

8.   During a routine briefing, some lashed out at the NTSB, blaming the delays on laziness or lack of caring.

9.   Election officials blamed the delays on faulty energy-saving computer monitors, which were quickly replaced.

10.   Federal officials have blamed the delay in notification on an oversight by the Justice Department.