"Secretary Chao and her family are shining examples of the American dream: salt-of-the-earth folks who escaped oppression, came here with nothing, joined our great melting pot, worked exceptionally hard to build a thriving business, and then dedicated so much of their lives to giving back, " said Jesse Benton, manager of McConnell's re-election campaign.

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We then wandered across the street to try the dish at Hoy Tod Chaolay, a salt-of-the-earth spot frequented by locals.

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In the supporting stakes, Oscar loves salt-of-the-earth types such as Katina Paxinou, Lila Kedrova or Brenda Fricker, almost as much as fresh faces.

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The white, middle-aged man appeared to come straight from the California GOP's central casting, but Mr. Vidak is more salt-of-the-earth than many of his new compatriots in Sacramento.

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My wifes brothers were captains of their football teams, salt-of-the earth.

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Living conditions in these are basic at best - a one-room family-house with a tiny shed-like kitchen-conversion and often no private toilet - but it is this unusual mix of ancient aristocratic architecture and current-day, salt-of-the-earth locals that gives the hutong alleys their unique character.

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T. janitor with a lengthy police record, Will is perfectly content carousing his life away with his buddies in this salt-of-the-earth milieu.

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"These stories which hit honest, decent, salt-of-the-earth folk like the Pattons and those who work for them, hit us all hard, " he said.

BBC: Building site