Oops. Shouldn’t have been that categorical. Forgot that 2002 curiosity. Well, I hope you think that my general point was true ... [/blushing]
I've just finished reading Burton Fulsom's "New Deal or Raw Deal" ( which I highly recommend as a primer for what's going to happen in the next two years ) and the Dems 1934 increase was mentioned in the book.
I agree with your general point so long as the Repubs can identify and publicize the causes of the coming recession. It's difficult to believe some of the exit interviews after the last election e.g. the widespread belief that the Repubs control Congress. A few simple messages need to be re-enforced and re-enforced.