First, his job approval ratings have been trending down for many months, a trend that has accelerated in recent weeks as the war on terrorism has been supplanted in the public's mind by corporate scandals, stock market declines, and a growing sense of economic insecurity.

While Republican voters have remained universally supportive of their President, Democrats and Independents are returning to a more naturally critical stance.

Redistricting is a deeply political process, with incumbents actively seeking to minimize the risk to themselves (via bipartisan gerrymanders) or to gain additional seats for their party (via partisan gerrymanders).

A healthy degree of party unity among Democrats and Republicans has deteriorated into bitter partisan warfare.

A human being tends to believe that the mood of the moment, be it troubled or blithe, peaceful or stormy, is the true, native, and permanent tenor of his existence.

It is impossible for ideas to compete in the marketplace if no forum for their presentation is provided or available.

In addition to the decline in competition, American politics today is characterized by a growing ideological polarization between the two major political parties.