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1 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) The scientists at the World Health Organization subjected the data to intense scrutiny before issuing the alert. |
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2 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) If not contained with speed, they warned, the virus could spread exponentially and achieve plague status. |
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3 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) The president huddled with his advisers and then acted with a speed that shocked his political opponents and the media world. |
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4 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) In a surprise move, the president went on the offense and called Congress back into session. |
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5 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Heightening the drama was the fact that he had called them back from midterm holidays amid adverse weather conditions in Washington. |
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6 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) Amid allegations of political opportunism and claims that he had overstepped his authority, the president launched an offensive to convince Congress of the urgent need for action. |
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7 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) An important part of implementing his strategy was to nullify the impact of decisions enacted by political operators with hidden agendas. |
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8 | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) | ![](/olcweb/styles/shared/spacer.gif) If he didn't act immediately to empower his allies and forestall his opponents, he knew he later might have to put down a bloody uprising by militant members of his own party. |
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