It's obviously going to be hard to funnel down, to take on a particular issue, or to be, say, in an ambassadorial post where you really don't have any influence over foreign policy at all.
"We usually have only one shot at a very large-scale trial on a particular issue," he said.
Another Merkel adviser warned: "It is one thing if the UK is engaged in negotiations on a particular issue and makes demands on this issue in line with its national interest.
Like this: one of his regular dodges is that his own personal views on a particular issue don't matter, because his job is to enforce the laws passed by the Legislature.
Unilateral statements also may constitute evidence of a state's views on a particular issue.
Some people have come for advice on a particular issue, from assertiveness to anger management.
We're not talking about taking a liberal or conservative stance on a particular issue; we're talking about who I am".
"Because any board member can assemble a coalition of people to vote with him on a particular issue.
"They'd know much better than I would if we were being fobbed off on a particular issue".
It is about truly persuading them to share our views on a particular issue – and that means developing a relationship.
"Whatever you think on a particular issue or issues, the center is where you win," he said.
