I think they're normally happy with either party, Don, because they control both of them. I also think they are normally happiER with one of those parties than the other...at any given juncture...for a great variety of reasons. Sometimes its the Dems, sometimes it's the Reps..depends on the mood of the country. When one party becomes unviable with the public, as usually happens after a term or so of misrule and scandal, then the other one is ready to step forward into the breach like a noble knight errant, and everyone cheers...yippee! One could write about it all night and never finish. The point is, they use those 2 parties to bounce the public back and forth between choosing the "lenient cop"/protective Mother figure (Democrats) and the "tough cop"/stern Father figure (Republicans) and keep them thinking (or at least hoping) they have a real voice in Washington every time the curtains on the White House get changed.

The "tough cop/Father figure" is normally a little easier to market in the USA, due to John Wayne/Clint Eastwood prevalent psychology stereotypes that have been imprinted on the consciousness of Americans ever since who knows when? But there are times when "Dad" fucks up so totally that he loses all credibility for awhile! Then "Mom" is ready to run the White House for a bit...but it's all the same family plan. Mom just has a slightly different style from Dad, and frankly, I prefer Mom's style in this case if I really must choose between them. That's why I would vote Democratic, but I don't call it much of a choice.

That's how the Wizard keeps Oz in line, and no one ever looks at the little man behind the screen.