11.   Democrats countered that letting management replace striking workers tips the balance the other way.

12.   Democrats countered that Republicans could have reached a compromise agreement with them that would have provided some reduction in estate taxes starting next year.

13.   Democrats countered that the process of creating the rule was actually started by a Republican, former Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole.

14.   Democrats countered that the realities of the workplace would overcome any of the fine-sounding protections of the bill.

15.   Democrats countered that the Republicans were protecting the profits of health maintenance organizations.

16.   Democrats countered that the two were mainstream legal scholars and accused the GOP leadership of stalling the nominations because of a bias against Hispanics and women.

17.   Democrats will counter by arguing that Kenneth Starr unleashed the dogs of sexual McCarthyism with a report that Larry Flynt has now praised for outdoing Hustler magazine in prurience.

18.   Democrats counter that history is on their side -- that even popular wartime presidents see their party suffer in off-years.

19.   Democrats counter that Republican leaders have tried to stifle an authentic backlash to the excesses of the managed care industry, and will ultimately pay the price.

20.   Democrats counter that Republicans did not negotiate in good faith when they put together the spending bills and have been unable to finish the work on these measures.