1.   ...friendships with heavy hitters like European industrialist Carlo De Benedetti.

2.   She spoke to a room full of political heavy hitters.

3.   Though successful in most things they Turn their minds to, the heavy hitters of Japanese industry have not yet cracked making airliners.

4.   Although Gov. George W. Bush of Texas has sewn up support of many heavy hitters in the Georgia GOP, Forbes praised his team.

5.   Among the heavy hitters lobbying for free trade are Atlanta-based Home Depot and the National Association of Home Builders.

6.   An industry source said the company has hired a heavy hitter in public relations, New York-based Linda Robinson, to help with its campaign in Congress.

7.   And even though Rios is trailing in both money and endorsements, both sides have rolled out the heavy hitters for the sprint to the finish line.

8.   And Grand Slam, the favorite, had half a length on Scatmandu, who won three straight races earlier this year before testing the heavy hitters.

9.   Another heavy hitter may be on the way.

10.   Are the Islanders a young team in bloom or a small-market team overmatched in an elite division that features heavy hitters like the Rangers and the Flyers?