Wood chips come from the interior of a tree. This mulch is available as hardwood or softwood, or as a mixture. Hardwood mulches, according to Fine Gardening, will last a little longer than softwood mulches. Wood chips, in general, do not last as long in the landscape as bark mulches.
There have been more Republican presidents than Democratic presidents. Between 1789 and 2013, 43 people have been sworn into office as the president of the United States of America. Of these, a larger number have belonged to the Republican Party than have belonged to the Democratic Party.
Republicans take hard stances on things, while the Democratic Party generally does not. Their beliefs and attitudes change over time, and sometimes they violate the core of their own principles for various (dubious) reasons. The best exemplar again is Bill Clinton who ushered in NAFTA.