The Republican message was clear, consistent and deliberately confrontational on the issues of God, guns and gays.
For more than a year, China and Japan, the world's second- and third-largest economies, have been increasingly confrontational over the issue.
He comes across as very confident but confrontational and very well-versed on the issues of the day.
And while the presidential race remains, in a marketing sense, one of the more polite in memory, the tone of new advertising in the last week has been noticeably more confrontational, on issues if not personalties, as strategists home in on states they believe are up for grabs -- or at least want the other side to think they consider winnable.
"Even through RAN could be confrontational, she was able to be hard on the issues but soft on the people," he said.
By contrast, sources have likewise described Bacquet as even-tempered and non-confrontational on the newsroom floor.
Nor will the chancellor, Angela Merkel, or vice chancellor, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, immediately take a more confrontational approach on issues like climate change.
In recent days, Mrs. Bachmann has tried to join the fray, indirectly taking on Mr. Perry over the issue, signaling a more confrontational strategy.
In recent weeks, Israel has appeared to take a less confrontational approach on some issues.
