Norman J. Ornstein

Over the past six years, Congress' oversight of the executive branch on foreign and national security policy has virtually collapsed. Compounding the problem, the Bush administration has aggressively asserted executive prerogatives -- sometimes with dire consequences. The oversight problem must be fixed, ideally as part of a more fundamental effort to restore the balance between the two branches.

Jeremiad against the "disgust, disaffection and disarray" now evident in US politics.

Analyzes the 1988 US presidential election; concludes that the Democrats did not exploit the weak points of the opposition, and that they were out of step with mainstream America when it came to basic values.