An Obama victory combined with Democratic Congressional gains would bring the party “muscle to pursue an ambitious agenda on health care, taxes, union rights, energy and national security”, but put them “at risk of overreaching” , writes the New York Times.

“Despite having control of Congress for the past two years, Democrats have a pent-up agenda on health care, public works, energy, employment policy and other matters where they clashed with President Bush. Mr. Obama has his own detailed proposals on the economy, taxes, health care and climate change, among other major issues. Democrats say they would move quickly after the election to put their stamp on federal policy.

“The key to their ability to do so would probably remain the Senate, where many initiatives stalled in the past two years because of Republican resistance and what was effectively a narrow 51 to 49 Democratic majority. A 60-vote majority would give Democrats the power to roll over Republican objections to legislation, executive nominations and judicial appointments, at least on paper. “

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