Will a Democratic president remember the lessons of the last seven years?

Jack Balkin is worried that, when it comes to executive power, ostensible Democratic critics may learn to love the imperial presidency if a Dem takes the White House in 2008.

It’s worth recalling that conservatives used to complain about the imperial presidency, especially during a time of strong popular liberal presidents. And, more recently, Republicans were the dovish party, many of them opposing Bill Clinton’s various interventions. But we can see how that’s all changed.

The cynical interpretation is that both parties will embrace whatever seems to be in their immediate interest without much regard for structural or procedural soundness.