Mrs. Clinton's aides defended her spending, saying that her campaign was not typical.

Mr. Hevesi's aides have defended the practice as a legal way to husband limited resources.

Mr. Babbitt and his aides have defended the decision to start the fire, saying that such actions are necessary to clear out brush.

But aides to the Governor yesterday defended the gun trades as good fiscal policy during a time of tight budgets.

The president was not asked about the statement at the news conference, but his senior aides defended Mr. Rove's comment.

The President's aides defend their use of sanctions as pragmatic.

The Secretary and his aides have defended their policy, which is far more restrictive than that used in Vietnam, as a military necessity.

Mr. Thompson and his aides have defended their selections.

Senator Lynch's aides defended their tax-rate projections as "very conservatives estimates."

His aides have staunchly defended the units, and asserted that residents are not confined against their will.