"Policy is very important; issues are very important, of course.
My most important issues are, not necessarily in order, health care, economy, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan.
"I pay attention to what the important issues are," Mr. Fielding said.
The German envoy, Gunter Pleuger, told reporters today, "The important issues are how the political process is being organized".
A legitimate offer of a job can be misconstrued as a bribe, when important issues are on the table.
Mr. Ashcroft's positions on a number of critically important issues are simply too contentious and sharply polarizing.
"He's very unflappable and has the ability to cut through and see what the important issues are," he said.
"The other important issues are contracting, lobbying, budgeting and the creation of a mechanism to review the mission of each authority".
"This is a dubious decision where important issues are taken on technical grounds," said Hamid Khan, one of the lawyers arguing the case against General Musharraf.
Other important issues are negotiations over restoring the governor's cuts to numerous health care programs, reviving environmental spending initiatives and programs for needy families.
So this is the difficult environment in which Mr. Gephardt and others who oppose Mr. Bush on a range of important issues are forced to fight.
