Will Democrats Go Wild or Be Reigned in?

Matthew Continetti and Alex Berenson have an interesting pair of articles for reading side by side. Mr. Continetti warns that a victory by Barack Obama combined with an expanded majority in the House of Representatives and a filibuster proof majority in the Senate will result in an era of "Democrats gone wild."

In contrast, Mr. Berenson argues that those expecting drastic changes in an Obama administration will be disappointed to find that the country remains at this time more anti-Republican than anti-conservative:

But Americans are fundamentally suspicious of government in a way that Europeans are not, a cultural and political difference that stretches back centuries. Anyone expecting a major expansion of Washington's powers after November – whether under a Barack Obama or John McCain administration – may be disappointed.

Americans are certainly weary of Mr. Bush, whose approval rating has been as low as 22 percent in recent polls by CBS News, the lowest rating for any president since Harry S. Truman in 1952. But polls also show that whatever their anger at Mr. Bush and Wall Street, Americans are not necessarily ready to embrace liberal ideals such as stronger unions, significantly higher and more progressive taxes, and new trade barriers.

Many on the right hope that Mr. Berenson is correct.