Others defended Mr. Bush's proposal as an exercise in setting priorities.

Mr. Brown defends his proposal as a measure that would result in lower taxes for middle- and lower-income people.

Republican leaders defended their proposal as one that would cut fat from the state's $12.1 billion budget while maintaining essential services.

And he defended his proposal, saying, "I've got two trillion set aside to Social Security."

And in defending this year's proposal, he often sounded as much like a candidate as a governor.

But he strongly defended the administration's proposal to allow drilling for oil and gas in the Alaskan refuge.

Mr. Kenny defended his proposal as a worthy basis for debate.

It is strange that the Commission did not feel the need to defend its own original proposal, but instead took the side of the Council.

We also said so in the Council where the Commission defended strongly our amended proposal.

She defended her proposal, saying other towns in New Jersey had adopted similar provisions to preserve order.