A Dem Makes the Republican Case

Paul Krugman, a guy who would dearly love to see the Dems win control of Congress, makes the case against his own party (h/t Tigerhawk):

There are two reasons why party control is everything in this election.

The first, lesser reason is the demonstrated ability of the Republican Congressional leaders to keep their members in line.... [I]f the Republicans retain control of Congress, even if it's by just one seat in each house, Mr. Bush will retain that free hand. If they lose control of either house, the G.O.P. juggernaut will come to a shuddering halt.

Yet that's the less important reason this election is all about party control. The really important reason may be summed up in two words: subpoena power....

[W]hile the Democrats won't gain the ability to pass laws, if they win they will gain the ability to carry out investigations, and the legal right to compel testimony... Those who think it's a good idea to investigate, say, allegations of cronyism and corruption in Iraq contracting should be aware that any vote cast for a Republican makes Congressional investigations less likely. Those who believe that the administration should be left alone to do its job should be aware that any vote for a Democrat makes investigations more likely.

That, by itself, should be enough to keep the Dems out of power.