His vocabulary is often cribbed straight from a play book.

"I've asked for that play to be put in our play book," Johnson said.

But the bigger change might be behind the scenes, in the rewriting of the play book.

"Some things you see are not in the play book," Pope said.

Facing up to reality isn't in the play book for too many.

Facing enemies who are working out of a fancy play book.

And what do you know about play books?

In 1996, Democratic candidates across the nation were reading from the same play book.

Ms. Nixon's performance is similar to those trick illusions in children's play books.

Nearly every trick in the modern city's play book has been put into place in preparation for this day.