Is that, he was asked, because of the Bush administration's tough line on Iraq?
Lawyers for the church, however, do not always take a tough line with plaintiffs.
But despite the tough public line, officials are reluctant to carry out capital punishment.
The Bush administration has taken a much tougher line.
"The degree of terrorism has declined under this Government, which takes a tougher line."
For the next five months, the King took a tough line.
Clearly the French favor a tough line on security issues.
"I frankly think we need to take a tougher line on that," he said.
If she had taken a tougher line with them at once, they would have known where to stop.
Will the Commission go on taking a tough line here, be hard as nails?