Divided Washington Is What U.S. Economy Needs: Kevin Hassett

Chances are good that the power of the U.S. government, squarely in the hands of Democrats the past two years, is about to become divided between the two parties. Modern American history suggests that this is the best of all worlds. With all respect to Abraham Lincoln, a house divided against itself often prospers.

Since 1970, the levers of federal government -- the White House, Senate and House of Representatives -- have been in the hands of one party, whether Republican or Democrat, 30 percent of the time. By most any measure, the U.S. economy has been healthier the other 70 percent of the time.