This arcane battle over words concealed some real political fears, Western diplomats say.

But later he said the lawmakers appeared paralyzed by "political fear."

One after another, the transcripts show them confiding their political fears and private ambitions.

The slow pace stems in part from the political fears of many lawmakers.

But Washington is sitting lamely on the sidelines, paralyzed by political fear.

Such political fears seemed to give an opening to critics who felt economic policies had strayed too far toward capitalism.

I'd hate to see that effort wasted because of conservative political fears.

Ross Perot certainly hasn't lost his capacity to inspire political fear.

"But I think it's part of a political fear."