At a Polarizing Time, Democrats Betting on Unity (LAT)

Just weeks after a deal on judicial nominations stirred hopes of a reduction in partisan hostilities, the Senate's vote Monday to block the nomination of John R. Bolton as U.N. ambassador highlighted the pressures propelling Washington's continued escalation of conflict.

The appointment of Bolton — a blustery, ardent conservative — symbolized the Bush administration's determination to advance an ambitious and ideologically polarizing agenda that excites Republicans but provokes intense resistance from most Democrats.

Conversely, the GOP failure to break the filibuster against Bolton highlighted the surprising willingness of Democrats — even those from states where President Bush has run best — to stand with more liberal colleagues against major parts of the president's agenda.

That Democratic unity, on issues from Bolton to the federal budget to the restructuring of Social Security, marks a stark departure from Bush's success in his first term at fracturing the party on key votes, like his initial tax cut plan. It also represents the Democrats' key strategic bet for the 2006 congressional elections — a gamble that Republicans, as the party in power, will be hurt most if Bush's agenda is derailed and Washington devolves into partisan stalemate.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/latimests/20050622/ts_latimes/atapolarizingtimedemocratsbettingonunity

"United we stand, Divided we fall."
Take a note of it Biden and Lieberman.