IN the corridors of the House of Representatives offices, flip charts have been laid out to stalk visitors. “National Debt: $8,395,728,405,100. Your share: $28,000” the first says. A few doors down, this rises to $28,200. On the next floor it has hit $28,500.
This is the voice of dissident Republicans mocking the spendthrift policies of President George Bush. The mood would be mutinous if they still considered the president to be their leader. But as they prepare for mid-term elections, it is each man for himself.
Bush may not even be halfway through his second term, but power is draining from the White House – as it is from 10 Downing Street. But while Britain looks at Gordon Brown, it is unclear where US political power is going.
The Democrats are optimistic. The Iraq war is catching up with the Republicans and acting as a negative. For the first time since the September 11 attacks, they are seen as the weaker of the two on defence.
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