As the secretary weighed the merits of attending the conference, his aides portrayed the decision as a more personal one for him than for his predecessors.

The Mayor and his aides have largely portrayed his welcoming remarks as a routine civic duty at a sporting event that will bring in several hundred million dollars from tourists.

Mr. Weizman's aides portrayed his recent actions as part of his normal presidential duties.

In past years, when the governor proposed deferring 25 percent of tuition assistance until graduation, his aides portrayed it as an incentive for students to graduate quickly.

But Mr. Bloomberg and his aides portrayed it as just another instance where they aimed high, against the odds, on something that the mayor believes in.

Mr. Clinton's aides have portrayed his itinerary as one that traces China's history.

But in both countries this week, Mr. Rumsfeld and his aides repeatedly portrayed the continuing attacks on American troops as more of an opportunity than a threat.

His aides now portray him as a kind of stealth diplomat, regaling reporters with stories.

His aides portrayed him as cheerful from the early hours on today, playing hearts, questioning his doctors and watching college basketball before his surgery.

Until now, Mr. Clinton and his aides have portrayed Chinese nuclear espionage as a problem that occurred during previous Administrations.