Julian Zelizer : On the left , it seems gridlock hurts both parties . He says Democrats suffer more since their party places more restrictions on government . This prevents government agencies from proposing and taking the initiative . Clinton : Focus for Democrats shifts from proposing to protecting government agencies .
Julian Zelizer : On the surface , it seems gridlock hurts both parites . He says Democrats suffer more since their party places more reliance on government . Gridlock prevents government agencies from planning and taking the initiative . Zelizer : Focus for Democrats shifts from proposing to protecting government programs .