He emphasized opinion polls, focus groups and television advertising over back-room negotiations.

The vote came after a day of furious back-room negotiations and maneuvering.

In June 1997 he presided over late-night back-room negotiations that produced a bipartisan agreement to create a new health insurance program for children in low-income families.

But in back-room negotiations, noted a leading poll taker, Panayote Dimitras, "everything is possible."

What followed were months of back-room negotiations between Mr. Sclera and the union.

Some Congressional officials said they were appalled that the will of Congress could be thwarted in the back-room negotiations that drive conference committees.

In that event, Lott may try to undermine the bill in back-room negotiations .

The Business Roundtable, which represents most major companies, warned against corporate policies being set in "back-room negotiations" among a handful of institutional shareholders.

But for all the multilateral discussions, round-table talks and back-room negotiations, many foreign dignitaries harbor other, often secret, agendas.

The Council's vote came after a day and night of back-room negotiations.