1.   But a seemingly nonstop string of guerrilla abuses has fueled his ascent.

2.   Further fueling the ascent was a little pressure from abroad.

3.   Pressure from abroad fueled the ascent, traders said.

4.   Pressure from abroad fueled the ascent.

5.   That ascent was fueled by the campaign contributions Lay began giving to both parties in Texas and Washington, as well as his sheer friendliness.