<The Democrats are shut out of policy making, so "the question of motivations where policy is concerned" is an empty question.

Yeah, I wish. The fact is, that even without a majority, the Democrats are going to have a hell of a lot of influence in how much or how little of the Republican agenda goes through. In court nominations alone, they have sent out for a railroad car full of monkeywrenches. And wait until the legislation for tax cuts and the rest start working through Congress.

They also have techniques for cutting their opposition off at the knees that would make Gimli weep with envy.

As for chickens coming home to roost, that could work two ways. The Democrats apparently failed to come away from the 2002 elections with any useful lessons. We'll see what happens over the next two years...one party or the other is probably going to end up with a lot of egg on its face.