However tricky the task, administration officials seem to have decided their first order of business is to brace the public for a potentially nasty conflict in a highly volatile region.

Yes, this heavily Democratic crowd knew that the party had avoided a potentially nasty split between two popular politicians.

But his willingness to make one last grand gesture may be needed to quell a potentially nasty legal fight.

But even as negotiators hailed the agreement, reached after nearly a year of bruising talks, officials braced for new and potentially nasty fights over distributing the money.

Qwest's latest move sets the stage for a potentially nasty proxy fight where MCI shareholders would be asked to choose between the bids.

Less comically absurd than it might have seemed in his later time slot, the gag had a potentially nasty edge, but it also had a payoff.

The recent battle over health benefits for the unemployed offered a preview of a potentially nasty fight.

Moreover, some of them ask if it is worth waging a potentially nasty fight with the Bush Administration.

Even if Fannie Mae's troubles are eventually worked out, there may be other, potentially nasty reverberations from the company's weakened position.

The house comes with a two-story, 1,500-square-foot entertainment room, rare-wood paneling and some potentially nasty karma.