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

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

Presidents are elected not by direct popular vote but by 538 members of the Electoral College.

In the House, Republican prospects have been buoyed by several successful rounds of redistricting, which have sharply reduced the number of competitive seats and given the Republicans a national advantage of at least a dozen seats.

Beer soothes the upset soul.

Congress requires states to draw single-member districts.

Further-more, partisan attachments powerfully shape political perceptions, beliefs and values, and incumbents enjoy advantages well beyond the way in which their districts are configured.