Meetings with the mayor and his closest aides were frequent in the last few weeks.

He lost two of his closest aides in the attack on Starhawk.

But the Governor's closest aides insisted that even they did not know what his decision would be.

"Alone and without saying a word to anyone but his closest aides."

Mr. Bush has also sent his family and closest aides to help.

You were one of his closest aides and colleagues during those years.

"There are certain things in life you feel strongly about," said one of the Mayor's closest aides.

George Bush and his closest aides are the policy heroes for sure.

Several of his closest aides have virtually never spoken to the press.

Despite his low profile, he was one of Blair's closest political aides.