Democrats, meanwhile, hammered home a message of feminist grievance throughout the ensuing "Year of the Woman."

And he has resisted new ethics rules even though Democrats hammered Republicans on corruption in the midterms.

"Democrats must hammer on this issue."

At that point, either both parties back off or Democrats hammer Republicans, using fear and hyperbole.

Twenty-eight Democrats hammered the Republicans for leaving instead of working to reopen Government offices.

The Republicans showed some concern over a provision of the spending bill that would raise Medicare charges, an issue Democrats have hammered in recent days.

Over and over, the Democrats hammered Mr. Bush's advisers on the question of middle-class tax relief.

But Democrats hammered away at their theme that the tax cuts would come at the expense of Medicare and other domestic programs.

Democrats were quick to note this, and will undoubtedly hammer away at the point in the weeks and months to come.

Since before Thanksgiving, the Democrats have been hammering the President on the economy at every opportunity.