But before Iraq, privatization that rewarded campaign contributors was a politically smart move, even if it was a net loss for the taxpayers.

"It was smart politically for him to take advantage of that," Mr. Laney said.

It was deemed politically smart, said Jools, to go along with this invitation as it might help oil the wheels at the border the following morning.

What is morally wrong does not in the long run turn out to be politically smart.

For Ferrer to say, in essence, 'I don't need the guy' was not politically smart.

Considering the demographics of her Long Island district, that was the politically smart thing to do, they said.

"Being smart politically only gets you so far," he said.

But the politically smart route is not, in this case, best for the city.

"To do it any other way would be frankly ungracious and not politically smart."

Mr. Pike backs the station as smart politically if it helps stabilize Russia.