GOP warns of Dem 'one-party rule'

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. Republicans, fearing the loss of the White House and more seats in Congress, are warning of the dangers of effective one-party rule, observers say.

With Democratic opponents increasingly confident of an Election Day victory by presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and with a filibuster-proof, 60-seat majority a possibility in the U.S. Senate, the GOP has been reduced to campaigning on potential abuses in a Washington dominated by one party, The Washington Post reported Sunday.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., fighting off a challenge from Democrat Al Franken, told voters last week, "If I lose this seat and one party has control across the board, then you'll see changes," while Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., is running ads warning Democrats will "get a blank check" if opponent Kay Hagan wins, the Post said.

"The larger the majority, the more likelihood that people think they can go off on their own," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told the newspaper. "But being in the minority for 12 years was probably pretty good for us. We are a party much more aware of the necessity of unity."