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The '''Democratic Party''' is one of the two major political [[parties]] in the [[United States of America]]. It is the center-left party. President [[Barack Obama]] and its other leaders are generally [[liberal]], but there are powerful moderate and conservative factions. The party contrasts with rival [[Republican Party]], which is generally more [[conservative]] and pro-business.  Members of the Democratic Party are known as Democrats. Republicans for partisan reasons sometimes call it the "[[Democrat Party]]" as a term of ridicule.

The '''Democratic Party''' is one of the two major political [[parties]] in the [[United States of America]]. It is the center-left party. President [[Barack Obama]] and its other leaders are generally [[liberal]], but there are powerful moderate and conservative factions. The party contrasts with rival [[Republican Party]], which is generally more [[conservative]] and pro-business.   

In 2007-08 the Democrats at the national level raised far more campaign funds than the Republicans, with Obama's presidential campaign outspending McCain by 3:1.

Members of the Democratic Party are known as Democrats. In the 19th century tthe party was sometimes called "The Democracy." Today Republicans sometimes call it the "[[Democrat Party]]" as a term of ridicule.  

The Democrats currently control the White House and have strong majorities in the [[111th United States Congress]], together with the majority of state governorships and legislatures and control most large cities as well, while suburbs and rural areas are 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>  Polls show the Democratic-majority Congress currently has a negative approval rating, while President Obama has a strong 61% approval.<ref> Laura Meckler, [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124095605121565495.html#articleTabs%3Darticle "So Far, Obama Remains Popular With Public; Poll Finds Reservations About Policies on Terrorism and Deficit, but Tentative Backing for Health-Care and Energy Overhauls," ''Wall Street Journal'' April 29, 2009]</ref>

 

The Democrats currently control the White House and have decisive majorities in the [[111th United States Congress]], together with the majority of state governorships and legislatures and control most large cities as well, while suburbs and rural areas are 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>  The Democratic-majority Congress currently has a negative approval rating, while President Obama has a strong 61% approval.<ref> Laura Meckler, [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124095605121565495.html#articleTabs%3Darticle "So Far, Obama Remains Popular With Public; Poll Finds Reservations About Policies on Terrorism and Deficit, but Tentative Backing for Health-Care and Energy Overhauls," ''Wall Street Journal'' April 29, 2009]</ref>

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