...And an Absence of Purpose: Is the Democratic power structure ...
At a time of recession and malaise 'ÐÊ among the public over the nation's fu-Û¢ ture, one would have thought that the Ûª most prominent leaders of the party out</br></br>This raises a critical question: How anxious is the Democratic establishment to recapture the White House? On Capi- ÐÊ	tol HillÛÓwhere Democratic power is concentratedÛÓthe leaders seem content with the role of the loyal opposition, dutifully participating in a coalition government. Therefore, the suspicion arises that the Democratic power structure is comfortable with divided government that leaves Congress in its hands.</br></br>ÐÊ	This genteel relationship may work fine for incumbent Democrats who build up their seniority by controlling the House and the Senate. In turn, it serves</br></br>..åÇ The Democrats have now lost five out of the last six national elections. If Bush is reelected, it will make six losses out of r seven. It could then be an even longer - time before a Democrat turns the frontdoor key at the White House. This would ill-serve the nation, which needs not only a viable two-party system at the national level, but aggressive leadership at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue to generate a long-term economic recovery from its present desperate straits.</br></br>cession in 1992, the underlying structural problems will remain, including a weak banking system, permanent. layoffs in manufacturing industriesÛÓexemplified by General Motors closing 21 plants and scrapping 74,000 jobsÛÓand a decaying infrastructure. It also will need wise and mature leadership to cope with the Soviet collapse and regional trade challenges from Europe and Asia.