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The '''Democrat Party'''<ref>Its proper name is the "Democrat" Party, not the "Democratic" Party.  No one says the "Republicanic Party," for example.</ref> ('''D''') is one of the two major political [[parties]] in the [[United States of America]].  It is [[pro-abortion]] and anti-[[free enterprise]], supporting higher taxes, anti-gun policies, and a much larger, more invasive government, while the [[Republican Party]] is generally [[pro-life]] and pro-free enterprise, supporting lower taxes and small, responsible government.<ref>http://www.diffen.com/difference/Democrat_vs_Republican#Role_of_Government</ref> President [[Barack Obama]] and other Democrats are left-wing on the political spectrum.  Voters in 2016 rejected Democratic Party candidates at the local, state and national levels in record-setting proportions.

The '''Democrat Party'''<ref>Its proper name is the "Democrat" Party, not the "Democratic" Party.  No one says the "Republicanic Party," for example.</ref> ('''D''') is one of the two major political [[parties]] in the [[United States of America]].  It is [[pro-abortion]] and anti-[[free enterprise]], supporting higher taxes, anti-gun policies, and a much larger, more invasive government, while the [[Republican Party]] is generally [[pro-life]] and pro-free enterprise, supporting lower taxes and small, responsible government.<ref>http://www.diffen.com/difference/Democrat_vs_Republican#Role_of_Government</ref> President [[Barack Obama]] and other Democrats are left-wing on the political spectrum.  Voters in 2016 rejected Democratic Party candidates at the local, state and national levels in record-setting proportions.

Members of the Democratic Party are known as Democrats. Founded in 1828, slavery was a cornerstone. In the 19th century this Party was sometimes called "The Demeocracy." A Congressional faction known as [[Blue Dogs]]s, made up of [[centrist]]s and [[conservative]]s,   was largely "shellacked" after it was offered up on the altar of Obamacare by  [[Progressive]]s and defied their constituents.

Members of the Democratic Party are known as Democrats. Founded in 1828, slavery was a cornerstone. In the 19th century this Party was sometimes called "The Demeocracy." A Congressional faction known as [[Blue Dogs]], made up of [[conservative]] Democrats, was largely "shellacked" after it was offered up on the altar of Obamacare by  [[Progressive]]s and defied their constituents. In 2009 it boasted 44 [[centrist]]s; by 2011 only 8 members. A bi-partisan]] core in the House was destroyed.

In the doldrums after 2000, the party roared back with major gains in 2006, which it expanded in 2008 to sweep control of the national government, and leave the GOP in a state of confusion and decline. The GOP bounced back in 2009, with near-unanimous opposition to contentious Democratic policies, especially stimulus spending and health care reform. Polls show Obama's popularity began to sink in the summer of 2009.

In the doldrums after 2000, the party led by [[anti-war]] radicals roared back with major gains in 2006, which it expanded in 2008 to sweep control of the national government, and leave the GOP in a state of confusion and decline. The GOP bounced back in 2009, with near-unanimous opposition to contentious Democratic policies, especially stimulus spending and Obamacare. Polls show Obama's popularity began to erode after his anti-police stance became apparent in the summer of 2009.

For the first two Obama years, the Democrats controlled the White House and a veto proof Congress, ramming through unpopular legislation without bipartisan support such as [[Obamacare]]. In the 2010 midterm elections, the Republican party won decisive control of the House of Representatives; suburbs and rural areas are still more likely to be in Republican hands.<ref>[http://www.multistate.com/Site.nsf/Elections2006PostMaps?OpenPage Multistate.com] Post-Election 2006 Maps</ref> Polls show 50% of voters identify themselves with the Democratic Party as opposed to 35% for the Republican Party.<ref>[http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=312 Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007] Pew Research Center, 22 March 2007</ref> Surveys which address both the Republican House and the Democratic Senate currently has an average 78% negative approval rating, with only 13% expressing approval.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/congressional_job_approval-903.html|title=Congressional Job Approval|work=Real Clear Politics|accessdate=October 2, 2012}}</ref> On the one hand, the Democrats claim to have won the popular vote for President in 2016 by more than 2.5 million votes, and the nationwide total votes cast for Democratic Congressional candidates exceed those cast for Republican candidates.  However, because the Presidential election is decided by the Electoral College and the House seats are elected by defined districts, Republicans won the White House as well as majority of House seats.

For the first two Obama years, the Democrats controlled the White House and a veto proof Congress, ramming through unpopular legislation without bipartisan support such as [[Obamacare]]. In the 2010 midterm elections, the Republican party won decisive control of the House of Representatives; suburbs and rural areas are still more likely to be in Republican hands.<ref>[http://www.multistate.com/Site.nsf/Elections2006PostMaps?OpenPage Multistate.com] Post-Election 2006 Maps</ref> Polls show 50% of voters identify themselves with the Democratic Party as opposed to 35% for the Republican Party.<ref>[http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=312 Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007] Pew Research Center, 22 March 2007</ref> Surveys which address both the Republican House and the Democratic Senate currently has an average 78% negative approval rating, with only 13% expressing approval.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/congressional_job_approval-903.html|title=Congressional Job Approval|work=Real Clear Politics|accessdate=October 2, 2012}}</ref> On the one hand, the Democrats claim to have won the popular vote for President in 2016 by more than 2.5 million votes, and the nationwide total votes cast for Democratic Congressional candidates exceed those cast for Republican candidates.  However, because the Presidential election is decided by the Electoral College and the House seats are elected by defined districts, Republicans won the White House as well as majority of House seats.