Some struck a far more combative tone.
GM's chief executive, Daniel F. Akerson, is hoping that the overall feeling of a bright future - fueled by recent successes in innovation and rising stock prices - will temper the historically combative tone of talks with the labor union whose contracts must be renegotiated this summer.
We should be feeling more combative, but really all we feel is frustrated".
Amid such a hostile reception it was hardly surprising that Lewis was feeling somewhat combative later on.
The French newspaper Le Monde quoted a spokesman for Mr. Richard as saying Wednesday that he was feeling "confident and combative," and had left the hospital.
Women who I've spoken to this week described themselves as regularly feeling angry and "combative" towards men.
Increasing the Australian ire, no doubt, was their feeling that after two brilliantly combative days – and one when they appeared to have gone a step further into a potentially winning position – the English were on the point of completing an impressive recovery.
Joseph Lieberman, for his part, showed mature judgment in letting Mr. Cheney make his points without feeling compelled to imitate Mr. Gore's combative debating style.
By many accounts, the episode has left bitter feelings between Mr. Menendez and Mr. Christie, a combative politician who is said to be scouting candidates to run against the senator, as he seeks to rebuild the state Republican Party after a period of decline.
But Beijing is striking a combative stance at a time when the West, especially the United States, has a sinking feeling that power is leaking away to Asia after the global financial crisis.
