His two main opponents competed with each other for the block of older Irish-American voters whose roots they shared, and they lacked Mr Brown's powerful connections.

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At that time, Mr Moi's 19-year-old administration and its political opponents were at each other's throats on this very issue: the call for constitutional reform to get rid of laws that have turned the president into a constitutional dictator despite Kenya's veneer of parliamentary democracy.

ECONOMIST: Moi��s coup | The

It is true, opponents concede, that states have always recognised each other's marriage laws.

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They extend to the terraces, as rival fans seek to outdo each other, be it in cheering their team on or booing opponents - and their anthem off the park!

BBC: SPORT | Football | African | To sing or not to sing

Supporters and opponents of cha-cha seem fated to end up tripping over each other's feet.

ECONOMIST: The pace quickens in an old dance