What is sometimes less noticed is that the congressional Republicans are falling over themselves to make the state governors the dominant force in the party as a whole.

ECONOMIST: Out of the dark, Republican glimmers

That idea has divided the evangelical community and the party as a whole, with some supporting it and others opposing what they say amounts to a reward for lawbreaking.

WSJ: Social Conservatives Raise Red Flags Over Republican Blueprint

John Edwards of North Carolina have shifted some of their focus toward supporting the Democratic Party as a whole.

CNN: In primary's wake, Missouri students adjust

Moreover, forcing Democrats to account for their behavior will have a salutary long-term effect on their party and on the US as a whole.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Republicans, Democrats & Israel

And they did not necessarily want to send the message to the people as a whole that they were not the party of the middle.

NPR: 1964 Convention Established GOP As Conservative

But the risk remains that on economic matters the centre that Mr Obama moves to would be that of his party, not that of the country as a whole.

ECONOMIST: The presidential election

The Conservative Party will be opposing this bill, as well as the constitution as a whole, and the Liberal Democrats have declared themselves in favour.

BBC: NEWS | Programmes | BBC Parliament | EU Referendum Bill

Obama's Democratic Party, and indeed the US political establishment as a whole, received a jolt on Tuesday when Republican Scott Brown won the Massachusetts seat in the US Senate that had been held by the Democratic Kennedy dynasty since 1952.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The perils of presidential failure

But until the Nov. 3 midterm elections, he was seen as an outspoken conservative, not a spokesman for the whole party.

CNN: The big push to impeach

The two-party system is a boon for America when it is seen as providing a voice for two parts of a unified whole.

CNN: Cliff deal hollow victory for American people

Tea Party Express and FreedomWorks spent the last four years making millions for its leadership, but failing to strengthen the movement as a whole.

FORBES: Once Effective, The Tea Party Has Become Toxic

The issue with Windows Phone as a whole is when you step out of the built in software, and start exploring the third party application situation.

FORBES: Is The HTC Windows Phone 8X A Worthy Signature Smartphone?

He also knows that although the British as a whole may regard the empire as a source of national pride, many members of his own party would not see things that way, not to mention all those former imperial subjects who might have views on the subject.

ECONOMIST: The British empire