Now, since most Americans aren't that far to the right, our friends have to portray us Democrats as simply unacceptable, lacking in strength and values.

Republicans have successfully portrayed Democrats as weak on terrorism for two national elections in a row.

"For the Republicans, this gives them an opportunity to portray Democrats as being unable to govern," he said.

Since most Americans are not that far to the right, they have to portray us Democrats as unacceptable, lacking in strength and values.

If it were just the usual campaign to portray Democrats as weak-kneed and lily-livered, that would be understandable.

It has become fashionable in Washington to portray Democrats as the party without a compelling message.

In both, the Republicans made gains in part because they were able to portray Democrats as "obstructionists."

But the Republicans used that agreement later with devastating effect in the 1994 election, portraying Democrats as taxers and spenders.

Republicans took that as an opening to portray certain Democrats as opposed to protecting the nation.

For one thing, in some districts, Republicans are moving to play an old standby card, taxes, in portraying Democrats as big spenders.