The key to Democrats being an effective opposition party is to take issues that divide Republicans and make sure as many of them as Dems can muster show up on the President’s desk. Stem cell research is one of the better issues to use since it divides Pro-Life constituencies, business interests, and more moderate Republicans. Close votes in the House also mean that Hastert has to give in to moderates from time to time and that’s when Democrats can plop issues up on the Bush’s desk.
