GOP Candidates Warn Against One-Party Rule

Washington Post: In An Eleventh-Hour Appeal, Some Push For Ticket-Splitting, Caution Against Dem Domination In Washington

(Washington Post)  This story was written by Shailagh Murray.

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On the defensive across the country and staring down an election that could see them reduced to an ineffective minority in the House and the Senate, congressional Republicans are offering a new argument to voters: the danger of single-party rule in the nation's capital.

Democrats are increasingly confident that Sen. Barack Obama will cruise to victory Nov. 4 and that his election will be accompanied by the biggest congressional majorities their party has enjoyed in decades, perhaps even a filibuster-proof 60-seat presence in the Senate. They have begun to outline an agenda that would center on stimulating the economy in the short term and then move quickly to beginning a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq and focusing on domestic priorities such as overhauling the health-care system.

At the same time, party leaders are mindful of the dangers associated with one party controlling all levers of government, particularly given the monumental financial and international problems the next president and a new Congress will inherit.

"The larger the majority, the more likelihood that people think they can go off on their own. But being in the minority for 12 years was probably pretty good for us. We are a party much more aware of the necessity of unity," House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (Md.) said.

In their eleventh-hour appeals for ticket-splitting, Republicans on the campaign trail are warning of Democratic overreach.

"If I lose this seat and one party has control across the board, then you'll see changes," Sen. Norm Coleman told voters last week in Minnesota, where he is trailing comedian-turned-politician Al Franken (D) in several polls. In North Carolina, imperiled Sen. Elizabeth Dole warns in a new television spot that Democrats will "get a blank check" if challenger Kay Hagan wins.

Poll numbers offer the GOP little comfort. The percentage of Americans saying they preferred that the same party control the White House and Congress has reached new highs in the Washington Post-ABC News tracking poll. On Thursday and Friday, the poll showed that 50 percent of likely voters wanted one party to control both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, and that 30 percent preferred split-party rule.

In the House, Democrats could gain 20 to 30 seats, boosting their majority to about 250, and they appear assured of a significant expansion of their Senate ranks.

Margins that wide should ease passage of big initiatives, but divisions within the party will not disappear with a victory on Nov. 4. In both chambers, liberal stalwarts are eager to turn on the spigot for increased spending on health-care, housing and education programs. A formidable faction of House fiscal conservatives is determined to block every new expenditure that is not offset by a corresponding cut.

Obama and other Democratic candidates have promised expanded health coverage, alternative-energy incentives and increased education funding. But turning each goal into law will require careful coalition building. On the energy front, Democrats are by no means unified on clean-coal technology, biofuels, nuclear technology and offshore oil drilling. With health care, there are different blocs that defend insurers, doctors, hospitals and so on.

There are plenty of ideological flash points in the mix. Labor groups want Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act to make union organizing easier. Hispanic groups want progress on immigration reform, including amnesty for illegal workers. The gay and lesbian community has long sought employment protections.

Democrats will face an early test when it takes up the children's health insurance bill vetoed by President Bush, as one of the new Congress's first tasks next year. The legislation would offer coverage to an additional 4 million children and is being portrayed by Democrats as a first step toward fulfilling Obama's pledge to provide universal health care.

Liberal Democrats are expected to expand the program further, to include children of illegal immigrants. But Hoyer said that would be asking for too much, financially and politically. "Philosophically, you want a healthy child sitting next to yours, but I think there will be reticence about taking that on," Hoyer said.

Powerful committee chairmen, frustrated by eight years of a Republican White House, present their own challenges. Rep. John D. Dingell (Mich.), chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, has a long history of resisting higher fuel-efficiency requirements for automakers. David R. Obey (Wis.) and Robert C. Byrd (W.Va.), Appropriations Committee chairmen in the House and the Senate, respectively, are big spenders who can be impervious to pressure from leadership or even presidents. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall II (W.Va.) is a clean-coal proponent, like Obama, and is distrusted by liberals.

One-party government is almost as difficult to sustain as it is to establish, and both parties have forfeited strong majorities in recent years in astonishingly short order. And Democrats are keenly aware of their history.

In 1992, President Clinton won the White House and Democrats emerged with 57 Senate seats and 258 House seats -- not far off the possible outcome this year. Together they produced a stack of significant bills, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, gun-control legislation and the North American Free Trade Agreement.

But Clinton pushed for too much, too quickly. Universal health care and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy allowing gays to serve in the military became euphemisms in Washington for overreaching. The result was the 1994 Republican Revolution, ending a Democratic grip on Congress that had lasted decades.

In 2004, Republicans widened their control of the House and the Senate, and Bush won a second term. Voters again revolted in two short years, handing the GOP a defeat as punishment for worsening conditions in Iraq, the botched response to Hurricane Katrina and a spate of ethics scandals.

"You might be able to do big things that have been blocked by divided government," said David Rohde, a Duke University political scientist. "But the potential pitfall is you can overreach, alienate the opposition party and alienate independents -- sowing the seeds of your own destruction."

Many Democratic lawmakers experienced both eras first-hand and say they are determined to avoid the same mistakes. They have vowed to set realistic goals and govern from the center, not the liberal fringe. They describe the party as more homogeneous than it was under Clinton and less ideological than the Republican-led Congress under Bush.

They also are counting on the global economic crisis, two ongoing wars and a $500 billion deficit to keep their many competing factions disciplined and unified around a limited number of broad common goals, rather than a blizzard of narrow and more partisan objectives.

"The good news for Democrats is that we lived through this in '93 and '94," said Steve Elmendorf, a lobbyist and a former Democratic leadership aide in the House. What the party learned, he said, is that "you have to focus on the day-to-day concerns. People believe the country is off-track and someone needs to fix it. Other things are important, but they don't fit to that goal."

The key is to keep the mandate straight, said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, a member of the House leadership and a senior Clinton White House aide. "There are certain things that people this year are voting for and certain things they're voting against. We'll be successful as a party if we're known as the party of reform. We will be unsuccessful if we do things the way they've always been done."

[buffalonyusa]

You repubs made your bed and now you don''t want to sleep in it?

TOO BAD!!!

Obama/ Biden ''08

[rayuk-2009]

Ticket-splitting, what will they think of next? The GOP will have many more excuses that make this one look minor.

[spittinup21]

Republicans are such whiners. I mean really. Maybe it wouldn''t be necessary to give democrats a super majority if republicans hadn''t fillibustered and caused gridlock in D.C. every chance they got. They have no one to blame but themselves for getting the boot from Congress. They earned it through their greed and inability to work with others.

[x-republican]

Looks like republicans'' "nuclear option" has come back to bite them in their sorry azzes! That''s what happens when you can''t learn to play nicely. You get sent home and not invited back! Good riddance!

[balz2dwall]

Didn''t Karl Rove and Co. want to install a lasting Republican majority which would rule the country for decades?
So, it''s OK for conservatives to want to have across the board majorities, but not liberals?
Of course, this reeks of typical conservative hypocrisy. They were drunk with absolute power, ruled by the wealthy, greedy, and elite - and now that all indications say that the middle class and working folk will once again regain power, it''s a bad idea.
"A working person voting Republican is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders!"

[ohiorichard1]

Can you say "sour grapes" boys and girls?!?

The only reason he warns of this is because he''s an egotistical, old, power-hungry, bitter man who sees his only chance at being President slipping away.

[x-republican]

"A working person voting Republican is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders!"
Posted by balz2dwall at 12:00 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Very well put! Looks like working Americans are waking up to smell the coffee: every thing a republican says is a lie. Stop listening to what greedy corrupt republicans say, and start watching what they do! John McCain is the perfect example. Today, he emphatically denies that he was a Bushie, but his record proves him to be a terrible liar. It''s well documented, in March 2008 when Bush endorsed him, the two were as cozy as two peas in a pod. In 2005, he was boasting about how he was perfectly aligned with the president on every issue of importance. McSame is now lying every day to the American people, telling them he is a "maverick" with scars to prove that he parted with his party at times. What BS! He voted 92% with the president''s failed policies. Truth hurts, John, but it''s better than the disgraceful way in which you run a campaign of lies and deceit.

[wdrussell1]

And just 8 years ago thet were bragging about their century of GOP rule.

[ubrew12]

The countries been on a conservative binge for most of the last three decades and Americans are finally waking up to the fact that they''ve been sold out. The ballot box is a blunt instrument, not a scalpel. Republicans are about to get hammered.

[wdrussell1]

I would agree that under normal circumstances Washington works best when one party controls Congress and the other party controls the White house.
Normal circumstances went out the window with Bush/McCain

[lloydbest1]

Shoot! We had one party rule for six of the eight years of His Bushness'' disasterous tenure. And the two that weren''t may as well have been for the obstructionist attitude and practice of the new age republicans we progressives weren''t able to boot from office.

Just in great pair to run the country and a whiner on top of it.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (CNN) -- With 10 days until Election Day, long-brewing tensions between GOP vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin and key aides to Sen. John McCain have become so intense, they are spilling out in public, sources say.
Sarah Palin delivered one of her longest stump speeches to date and revealed that she was %u201Cannoyed%u201D with the line of questioning presented by Katie Couric in her now-infamous interview with CBS.

[louiville2]

Haven''t we had enough of one party rule?

Obama has voted 97% the party line couple that with a Democrat 60% majority hang onto your wallets.

Democrats already tried to give ACORN, LaRaza 20% of money that would have been recovered from the failed house bailout bill. That would amount to BILLIONS of dollars going to Neo-Marxist groups! If Obama is elected that would be a given! Billions to fund leftist fraud.

Whiners,

They had one party rule and blew it. Now it''s "Oh no! We couldn''t possibly have a one party rule. Insert ----"Unless it''s us."

[buffalonyusa]

God bless and keep you and yours G.W. Bush, you are the greatest.

Been out riding my steel pony this morning and it sure felt good to fill her up with four gallons for less than eight bucks.

George Bush you are the greatest and thanks again.

Posted by AFactJack
-------------------

You''re getting gas for under $2 a gallon?! Where?

[louiville2]

Billion Dollar Obama is the Democrat version of Bush. Gullible and in the pockets of special interests. Talks a good story but votes 97% the party line.

Goodbye America hello Zimbabwe plan of take from those who know how and give to those who don''t.

[mydogdylan6]

Pubs are now down to the "Yah, we know our candidates really suck, but you don''t want THEM running everything right?"

[blackyowe]

Very Funny considering they had one party rule and used it to impeach Clinton for telling a little white lie about ***. Bush should have been impeached for lying about weapons of mass destruction and thrown out of office or locked up for treason. The Greedy Old Party just hates equality!

[buffalonyusa]

God bless and keep you and yours G.W. Bush, you are the greatest.

Been out riding my steel pony this morning and it sure felt good to fill her up with four gallons for less than eight bucks.

George Bush you are the greatest and thanks again.

Posted by AFactJack
-------------------

You''re getting gas for under $2 a gallon?! Where?

[amrt5016]

It''s probably true that a one-party rule does not optimize government. We''ve seen that happen in recent years when the Republicans controlled the presidency, both houses of Congress, as well as the Supreme Court and a majority of state governorships. But a possible Democratic electoral landslide next month will not exactly bring us to that that level of Democratic demominance. For one thing, the Supreme Court remains the same makeup of 7 Republican-appointed justices and 2 Democratic.

But if Democrats should indeed take control of both Congress and the presidency, I would not worry about what it will mean for the country. Unlike the toxic ideology of Republicans, Democrats don''t pander as much to religious conservatives to mix religion and state business; Democrats favor reality-based policies and pay more attention to bread and butter issues.

[wdrussell1]

A McCain disaster could be beneficial to the GOP.
They can forget about being the party of Reagan and Bush.
They can forget about being the party of chickenhawks and wingnut fundis.
They can go back to being the party of Eisenhower and Goldwater.
Then we can have 2 parties who care about all of America and not just the Dems.

[mydogdylan6]

Check out the HBO documntary called "Hacking Democracy". True story about the new voting macines. Really scary.

In the 2000 presidential election, an electronic voting machine recorded MINUS 16,022 votes for Al Gore in Volusia County, Fla.

John McCain and Parrot are now guaranteeing they''ll win even though every single poll shows them far behind.

Perhaps they know something about these machines?

[louiville2]

Whiners,

They had one party rule and blew it. Now it''''s "Oh no! We couldn''''t possibly have a one party rule. Insert ----"Unless it''''s us."

Posted by rickwar

Right, I didn''t vote for Bush ether time for the same reason. It''s called a "Destructive Oscillation" where like a bridge it swings far left with Clinton then real far right with Bush, now far far left. Hint that''s what leads to civil wars if we are not careful.

I like a quote from Eisenhower, when asked why he was in the middle of the road stated that the left and the right (of the road) are where the gutters are.

The only really enjoyable one party rule I ever knew about has been the one I learned from Animal House.
I think we all need to remember that even the minority party is guaranteed perks and privileges, until such time as they become the majority party. It''s a system these two scavengers have worked out to feed at the trough on a continuous basis. Isn''t it amazing that even the minority party office holders are millionaires? Let''s face it, the really bad thing about one party rule is that all the parking spaces have to be reassigned. God love this country.

[iamdemocrat]

Spotter, Just saw the interview you posted! Its all over the web! Barbara West of WFTV asked poignant questions.

Biden got angry! I love Biden, he defines entertainment. Biden''s like a crazy angry grandpa spouting of the darnest things!

Still can''t believe Barabara West''s courage for asking real questions!

Her questions were so real and cutting, I believe we''ll soon see Barbara West persecuted by the mainstream media.

Barabara West and Joe the Plumber will get to know each other in the re-education camp being setup by Barry Soetoro and Biden.

Glad to see. There are Americans willing to do what is right for our country.

[amrt5016]

God bless and keep you and yours G.W. Bush, you are the greatest.
Posted by AFactJack

In 2003, the Narional Relgious Broadcasters Association recognized George Bush with a resolution declaring him to have been apoointed by God to the leadersip of this nation at this critical period in our history. So it is the height of irony that Bush has brought this country to the brink of economic collapse, started two wars and is confronted with unprecedented levels of public dissatisfaction in his administration. If there is a lesson in this, it is that this is instructive of the error of intertwining religion and government. Our Founding Fathers got it right when they crafted a Constitution with a built-in mechanism to keep the two separate.

[dnsallday]

Still can''''t believe Barabara West''''s courage for asking real questions!

Her questions were so real and cutting, I believe we''''ll soon see Barbara West persecuted by the mainstream media.

Barabara West and Joe the Plumber will get to know each other in the re-education camp being setup by Barry Soetoro and Biden.

Glad to see. There are Americans willing to do what is right for our country.

Posted by iamdemocrat
************************************************************

[element51]

It''s really odd that when the republicans had total control for the first 6 years of the Bush administration no one said a word. So it''s OK if the republicans have control but NOT if the democrats do. Someone please explain to me how that works.

[flreason]

Funny...they didn''t object to one party rule when THEY were the ones in control.

[hermitdave]

GOSH republicans look at all the good things the country received when you had one party rule.
1--spend spend spend
2--Afghan crusade
3--Iraq crusade
4--Club Gitmo
5--debt debt debt

[dnsallday]

Still can''''''''t believe Barabara West''''''''s courage for asking real questions!

Her questions were so real and cutting, I believe we''''''''ll soon see Barbara West persecuted by the mainstream media.

Barabara West and Joe the Plumber will get to know each other in the re-education camp being setup by Barry Soetoro and Biden.

Glad to see. There are Americans willing to do what is right for our country.

Posted by iamdemocrat
*************************************************************
You don''t think that somebody who calls themselves a journalist has any responsibility to do basic fact checking before asking questions that have been repeatedly debunked or that they should have at least some of the basic knowledge that 9th graders learn in civics 101. The questions sounded like they were penned straight from GOP talking points probably provided by her husband, Wade West who is a political and media consultant for Republican politicians.

Biden didn''t come across as angry at all. He did seem a bit surprised that the woman was so willing to make a total fool of herself, through her willful ignorance though.

[jsilver2th]

HA HA HA HA
Down the drain with Palin & McCain!
McCain destroys Republican Party for 20 years...
Worse than Goldwater-Miller!
HA HA HA
Nancy Pelosi is gonna make you eat sprouts!
HA HA HA
Joe Leiberman to the back bench!!
HA HA HA- boty he messed up!
Matt Damon to the White House- Rush Limbaugh back on the corner looking to score oxy- Ann Coulter- No tanning beds for 4 years-
HA HA HAAa
McCain carries: Idaho, Utah and Alaska..
President elect Obama sweeps the rest...
HA HA HA
GOP going down down down the tubes!
HA HA HA

[ofbyfor3]

Obama and Democrats want our 401K accounts, what''s NEXT

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2008/10/23/would-obama-dems-kill-401k-plans.html

Posted by spotter444 at 12:21 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Take the advice from the article and ''Listen to superinvestor Buffett, not the prof from the New School.''

Warren Buffet endorsed Obama. Obama listens to him for advice.

The professor from the New School means nothing and should not be linked to Obama in any way. That''s just ridiculous.

[dnsallday]

I don''t think the RepubliCONS should assume that the Democratic party would follow the POOR example that the RepubliCONS set.

[yeswecan09]

I am actually worried about a 100% Democratic controlled government.

We have seen the disaster when the Republicans ran everything and not a single one of them had the spine to stand up and say no to GWB. Two wars while giving tax cuts to major corporations was the start of the financial disaster we are now in.

We can''t afford another GOP run government until they free themselves from the shackles of the wing-nut right; and understand that not everybody wants or needs their religeon.

That being said if the Democrates do sweep (and I am a liberal democrate think they will) the powers that be need to put Republicans in position of power to keep free of Group Think.

[iamdemocrat]

Truthmatterz and spotter444, good to see real Americans on this site.

You do know that Barry Soetoro and Biden probably have our names on that list for re-education.

Can''t wait for the media to investigate all of us who believe differently from Barry Soetoro''s socialist vision.

Investigate Frank Marshall Davis aka Bob Greene. Greene was a communist and wrote a ***/porno book--*** REBEL--that implicates Barry Soetoro''s mom when she was 13 years old. Real hardcore scandal.

Thanks again guys for opening my eyes to the truth!

[ofbyfor3]

Those with means and companies will pull up stakes and leave the US.

Companies in America already pay the 2nd highest tax rate of anywhere in the world, except Japan.

Once they leave who will fund all your welfare programs so you can sit on your butt and do nothing.

Posted by spotter444 at 12:33 PM : Oct 26, 2008

We may have the supposed 2nd-highest business tax rate, but unlike MANY countries, we offer so many looholes that a herd of elephants could get through. Only 40% of businesses in this country actually pay ANY tax, by the time they get finished with the deductions and loopholes.

So for those businesses, moving to a country with a lesser tax rate that doesn''t ALLOW all the deductions and loopholes wouldn''t be worth it. They''ll stay in the US, even if it means their taxes go up a bit.

[yeswecan09]

Obama Supporter Assaults Female McCain Volunteer in New York
*****

Pssst... read the news she made the whole incident up.

[element51]

spotter44....If what you say is true nothing much will change. Companies are already leaving the US in droves so where is the difference? And your disdain for the American workers is disgusting. Americans want to work and support themselves. Any society will always have a small percentage of people who will milk the system but the vast majority of Americans are ready and willing to support themselves. Our good jobs are being sent off shore in huge numbers but still most of us are out there every day, many working two jobs, working to take care of our families. Your attitude is insulting and shows your lack of understanding of the American people. Maybe you should take a look at the rich folks who sit on their arses and make money off the backs of the working men and women.

[perk235]

GOP worried about 1 party rule? Why weren''t they worried from 2000-2006?

The last time the GOP had 1 party rule in the white house, senate and house was right before the great depression.

[kevinbgoode]

I''m assuming the GOP is warning Americans because they''ve done such a wonderful job of governing themselves, particularly when they controlled both Congress and the White House. Anyone remember Terri Schiavo and Katrina?

[tawpdawg111]

A formidable faction of House fiscal conservatives is determined to block every new expenditure that is not offset by a corresponding cut.
--------------

Why would they all of a sudden be worried about that?

[element51]

louiville2....Please site sources to support your claims.

[ofbyfor3]

do not trust the polls, the joe the plumber effect and the attacks on him by Obama and MSM made a lot of people really mad.

Posted by spotter444 at 12:50 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Joe the plumber being a PHONY plumber, Ashley Todd''s racist charade, comments about some areas being pro- or anti-American (the list goes on) have made a lot of Dems and Independents mad at the Republicans. Obama''s numbers keep going up, the more negative lies and garbage that you people spill out.

Seems the neocons never learn when they are shooting themselves in the foot. Another good reason not to vote for them.

[steeepe]

Yeah, they warn against that except when it''s their party in power. The GOP is just a bunch of Orwellian hypocrites.

[antoniof123]

There are worried now?

What is wrong with that picture?

In 2006 we swing voters told the Repubicans change direction, moderate, and above all else get us out of Iraq and go get the real terriorts.

Did they listen? No, they stayed the course, they told us they were the deciders. Now we once again said if you do not moderate we will be forced to break you as punishment for your crimes against the majority who tell you what to do.

Did they listen? No, they stayed the course so now we are about to break them and they beg us for mercy.

Hate to break the news to you but mercy was shown in the last election when we told you to moderate, change direction, and get us out of Iraq.

Now you want us to give you another chance. We don''t need to you are within our sites and we are going to pull the trigger.

You should have listened to the majority instead of the village idiots.

[dbor77]

This is a lame argument by the republicans. The republicans had all the power for 6 years...when George W. Bush took office. It is funny that the republicans would again take a hypocritical position as they usually do. They had one party rule for years and it wasn''t the end of the world. They are crying now...THE SKY IS FALLING!! THE SKY IS FALLING!! if the democrats get all the power. Oh it will be the end of the world..GIVE ME A BREAK. It''s a pathetic argument on the part of the RNC and the McCain campaign.

[ofbyfor3]

You don''''t think that somebody who calls themselves a journalist has any responsibility to do basic fact checking before asking questions that have been repeatedly debunked or that they should have at least some of the basic knowledge that 9th graders learn in civics 101. The questions sounded like they were penned straight from GOP talking points probably provided by her husband, Wade West who is a political and media consultant for Republican politicians.

Biden didn''''t come across as angry at all. He did seem a bit surprised that the woman was so willing to make a total fool of herself, through her willful ignorance though.

Posted by Truthmatterz at 12:57 PM : Oct 26, 2008

Worth repeating. Her questions already PRESUMED that Obama''s plan is definitely Marxist. How unbiased of her as a supposedly objective journalist--not.

[pta-mom-4-vp]

"GOP Candidates Warn Against One-Party Rule".......after having complete control themselves for six years.

[lmartink]

Why didn''t the GOP warn us when they had control of both houses of Congress, and the presidency, while all this hype about going to war with Iraq was in the news?