| Pal |
| Chum |
| Ally |
| Buddy |
| Cohort |
| Old pal |
| Intimate |
| Sidekick |
| Henchman |
| Old chum |
| Familiar |
| __ friend |
| Old buddy |
| Confidant |
| Good buddy |
| Bosom buddy |
| Close friend |
| Longtime pal |
| Long-time pal |
| ___ capitalism |
| Close companion |
| Intimate friend |
| Partner in crime |
| Back-room fellow |
| Trusted confidant |
| Favor-seeking sort |
| Inner circle member |
| Political bosom buddy |
| Friend that goes way back |
| Mate, and a hint to the starts of this puzzle's four longest answers |