But presidential approval also became a surrogate measure of national unity and patriotism.

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.

I will keep faith with death in my heart... For the sake of goodness, for the sake of love, Let no man's heart be ruled by death... The only religious way to think of death is as part and parcel of life; to regard it, with the understanding and the .emotions, as the inviolable condition of life.

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

But presidential approval also became a surrogate measure of national unity and patriotism.

The increase in straight-ticket party voting in recent years means that competitive congressional races can tip one way or the other depending on the showing of the candidates at the top of the ticket.

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