While some of her aides privately debated whether or not she should ditch the pantsuits and grow her hair out, there were others who said none of it would matter.

He preferred instead to debate with Mr. Miller privately through e-mail and instant messages.

In a subdued fashion, many Haitian parents on Long Island have been privately debating the quality of suburban education.

He had come to receive the answer to a question, a question which all the Rajputs in Damodara's army had been discussing and debating privately for days.

Diplomats here spent much of the day privately debating how China would manifest its unhappiness with the provisions.

Government and security officials appear to be privately debating whether to resort to the internment of suspected members of paramilitary groups.

Jasmine seemed to read him and to know he was privately debating something.

"Maybe Alfonse is confused," Ms. Castro tightly retorted after privately debating with her campaign aides whether he deserved a stronger word than "confused."

The episode, which was captured on television and in photographs, provoked a very public discussion on an issue that Palestinians normally prefer to debate privately.

Historically it was devised by the English House of Commons to give them the ability to debate privately and not have their votes committed to record.