Saudis describe the kingdom's growing role as a reaction, in part, to the diminished clout of the United States.
The Chrysler deal has underscored the UAW's diminished clout as membership has shrunk along with jobs at the Detroit automakers.
The report calls for construction of new power lines, which has become more difficult in some regions because of the diminished clout of utilities and the growing strength of preservationists trying to protect rural areas.
Two factors have made that approach less attractive: the arrival of Mick Mulvaney, a former Freedom Caucus hard-liner in the House, as acting White House chief of staff and the diminished clout of Vice President Mike Pence as a dealmaker.
Organizing Toyota would also bolster the U.A.W.'s diminished clout at a time when Detroit's Big Three are cutting jobs, closing factories and expecting concessions from the union in ongoing contract negotiations.
To Egyptians accustomed to thinking of their country as a powerhouse of the Arab world, the idea of bowing to a historically weaker African rival has been a sobering reminder of their nation's diminished clout.
He is author of the forthcoming book "Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor". The overall number of strikes by American labor unions has declined sharply decade by decade, an unmistakable measure of organized labor's diminished clout.
Comparably, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have a persistent aura surrounding them, a sense of vanished or, at least, diminished clout.
The NRA's diminished clout at the ballot box is now translating into diminished clout on the Hill.
Smith and several other African American aldermen fear the new map could mean diminished clout for black voters in a city that is now more than 50% black.
That money carries political clout.
