But he referred questions about whether there was a politically timed deal to Prince Bandar.

But Fernando Ferrer, the Bronx Borough President, who is running for mayor, suggested the move was politically timed.

Ms. Beeson said yesterday that she believed the government's decision to drop the appeal was politically timed.

But yesterday, civil libertarians and advocates for victims criticized the new measures as incomplete solutions and, in some cases, politically timed.

Mr. Paulson's proposal is well timed politically.

In a statement, he dismissed the records as a politically timed smear and a series of "media games and bubbles."

Ms. Steele's lawyer said the charges against her were politically timed and without merit.

Mr. Gonzales's announcement clearly was politically timed: he will appear today before the Judiciary Committee, now controlled by Democrats who have vowed to investigate the eavesdropping.

Mr. Bloomberg said he had no recollection of making the remarks, and suggested that the release of the document was politically timed.

Roger B. Clegg, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for environmental affairs, called the report "politically timed" and "a hatchet job."