Nor does he have a pattern of poor relations with his former colleagues in Congress as did Carter or Clinton, given the smooth style of Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and legislative liaison Phil Schiliro.

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Where once he was considered aggressive -- and that still flares up on occasion -- Perez has a smooth driving style, akin to Button.

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He tried a Verano, he says, but rejected it because the seat recliner was a manually operated, Chevy-style handle, not a smooth power device.

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With an emphasis on gifted ball-playing technicians such as Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Silva, even seasoned football-watchers were left open-jawed by the fluidity and smooth control of Spain's unique short-passing style of play, setting the standards that many are now attempting to imitate.

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Some viewers will find the style a mixed blessing at best -- it's not the smooth ride we're used to, certainly, but then maybe this genre could use a good jolt.

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