Undoubtedly, the Obama Administration is too fastidious for such Cold War-style behaviour, but perhaps overt, democratic institution-building assistance is not too much to ask.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: How to make Egypt safe for democracy

That went down well with the members of the parliament, a democratic institution, accustomed to coalition politics and keen to sniff out a monetary Napoleon.

ECONOMIST: Trichet's cachet | The

As Plaid celebrates its successes, it looks as though that strategy of appealing to voters outside its heartland has borne fruit, leaving it as the second party in Wales's new democratic institution.

BBC: Plaid makes breakthrough

On the other -- he will call on Congress, which is obviously a Republican and Democratic institution, with one house controlled by one party and another controlled by the other, to take action, collectively, in a bipartisan way.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Supporters say such moves would "streamline" EU decision-making, but opponents argue they would make the institution less accountable and democratic, while undermining the countries' national sovereignty.

BBC: Berlusconi backs Blair for EU job

Both men are pragmatists who understand "they've got to make the institution run, " says a Democratic Senator.

CNN: Two-Headed Senate

And, no doubt about it, Democratic senators will proceed differently, largely because the Senate itself is a more center-seeking institution than the House.

CNN: Borger: Time for Obama to be The Decider