Up to a point, Mr. Greenspan gave Democrats what they wanted.

The virtual certainty that he would have won again this year gave state Democrats one of their few sources of electoral tranquillity.

For this reason, the networks should give designated Democrats equal time to respond when the President appears and states his views.

"What kind of mandate does that give Democrats for doing anything?"

That gives Democrats and university groups hope that Congress could succeed in making the laws less strict.

Both polls give 20 percent to the opposition Liberal Democrats.

Many Republicans view the measure as a ploy designed to give Democrats cover for their acquittal votes.

Standard & Poor's, a major credit-rating agency, weighed in last week with its assessment that is certain to give Democrats more fodder.

It gave Democrats, who need 15 seats to gain a majority, a new opening to pick up a seat in a Republican-leaning district.

By 2004, the lobbyists themselves gave the Republicans $1 million more than they gave Democrats.