Democratic leaders were hoping to confer with Republicans about various ideas, which most lawmakers are reluctant to discuss in public.

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On the trip, the secretary will confer with key allies about Obama's emerging strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, said Phil Gordon, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs.

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For reasons of both history and strategic prudence, the next administration should confer with our allies and Russia about its plans for missile defense, and seriously consider their views.

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What about the people in the world who still wish to confer with, and deal with a human representative of such a huge, world-wide organization?

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