Balance Of Power

WASHINGTON (AP) - In the waning days of the campaigning,
Republicans are pointing to the alleged danger of Democrats
controlling two branches of government.
In a weekend fundraising letter, John McCain says giving the
Obama-Biden Democrats free rein could turn the country "from the
land of opportunity into the land of government handouts."
Republican candidates in general argue that this is a time when
checks and balances are most needed. They say giving Democrats the
White House and Congress would mean unfettered freedom to raise
taxes and expand government.
Of course, Republicans weren't voicing many complaints when they
controlled the House and Senate during President Bush's first term.
In all, 34 presidents have done business at some point with a
Congress controlled by his own party.
A recent Gallup poll found 57 percent of those surveyed
preferred a Democratic Congress if McCain is elected. But the
respondents were split more evenly when Obama's name was
substituted.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)