So how is it all going to go down?

[AndyA]

Barack Obama is about to become President of the United States. He has a Democratic majority in Congress, led by two less than stellar performers. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have allowed the Republicans to play childish games, and run rough shod over Congressional procedures. Republicans have filibustered, placed secret holds on bills, and generally done everything they possibly can to prevent the business of the people from being done.

How long will President Obama tolerate this? Will he allow Pelosi and Reid to continue doing what they've been doing? Will he be overly tolerant, in an attempt to reach across the aisle to the other side, despite being rebuffed time and time again? Will he allow the Republicans to stall his agenda?

Or, will President Obama give them enough rope to hang themselves, then put his foot down and say, "ENOUGH!" Will he call the GOP out for their low down tactics? Will he cry foul when their shenanigans block important legislation that would be helpful to the American people?

With the inauguration just two weeks away, I'd like to hear how DUers think President Obama is going to ensure his success, or allow his agenda to be derailed by the GOP.

Here's my question: Will Obama fight hard to get what he wants, or will he attempt to be all things to all people, and allow Congress (which seems to still be controlled by the GOP) to walk all over him?

(Edited to clarify my question.)

[MADem]

1. Reid and Pelosi are elected to their posts by THEIR PEERS, not by Obama.

They're separate branches of government, the Congress and the Executive.

If our country works the way it is supposed to, there should be tension between the branches, along with cooperation.

If we end up with a "Obama Orders/Congress Delivers" situation, we're in a dictatorship, and we'll probably have a GOP Congress in six years or less.

Obama certainly can influence the Congressional agenda, and he can sweet talk the legislators to bring them to his team, but he's not going to be an autocrat, "bullying" Pelosi and Reid. They're the ones who are going to be telling HIM like it is, and telling him how many votes he has, and does NOT have, for his pet pieces of legislation.

[Pab Sungenis]

2. They NEED to be bullied.

Actually, they need to be replaced. The Republicans have been completely voted out of power, yet Pelosi and Reid are still letting them run the show.

[MADem]

4. Their peers put them in their seats. You'll need a new set of peers to replace them.

It's not Obama's role to interfere in Congress. In fact, Biden as Senate President will be like LBJ, the lonely boy who can't hang out in the cloakroom anymore.

[Pab Sungenis]

5. No, Obama shouldn't bully them

but maybe WE should. A "march on Congress" to pass Obama's agenda, perhaps?

[MADem]

7. If you don't like them, your best bet is to write to your Senators and rep.

But you might find out, first, if your peeps are supportive of the current leadership. If they are, there's no point.

Marches on Congress only work if you have critical mass. There would be more Republicans than Democrats at a "Toss Pelosi and Reid Out" march, and even at that, there'd probably be porta-potties to spare.

The Congress is not going to oppose Obama's agenda, by and large. In fact, I'm guessing Rahm Emmanuel is the guy who is coordinating that agenda and has been since November. There will be a little give-and-take, but Obama will get much of what he wants. I also think that "Obama's agenda" won't be as liberal as many of his supporters hope, as some of his cabinet picks and his choice of Invocation speaker at his Inaugural seem to indicate.

[Jennicut]

3. Agreed. The american public has more trust in Obama right now then congress

so if they want to keep their jobs they will try to pass his agenda. However, I don't want to see another Dick Cheney led congress just in a Dem form. It was like a dictatorship before and that just is not good for the country.

[AndyA]

6. Thanks for the civics lesson.

Of course I know how people are elected, and who elects them. :eyes:

What I'm asking is, will Obama fight hard to get what he wants, or will he attempt to be all things to all people, and allow Congress (which seems to still be controlled by the GOP) to walk all over him?

[MADem]

8. I think that what Obama wants is close to what Congress wants.

I think people who believe that Obama is actually "the most LIBERAL Senator" or even a well "left of center" politician will be disappointed. He's on the middle path, pretty much.

I think Obama is a centrist, who leans left on governmental-social safety net issues, who leans to the right on social issues that intersect with religion (gay rights, e.g.), who is an economic pragmatist, and a moderate in many other respects.

[Two Americas]

9. collision course

The collapsing economy is going to throw millions into destitution. That will require a strong response from the government, one way or another. There will be fierce opposition from the right wing to any measure that give relief to the people. No amount of "reaching out across the aisle" will have any effect on that whatsoever.

There is no way to escape the coming economic crisis, nor the impact that will have on the people. The right wingers, and their wealthy and powerful clients, are not ever going to hold hands and sing around the campfire with us. The politicians will be forced to side either with the people, or with the right wing. There will be no "middle" or "centrist" course available.

[CK_John]

10. You missed the part about separate and equal branches of the government, checks and balances. n/t

[AndyA]

11. After the last 8 years, someone's going to have to prove to me that that part still exists!

It sure hasn't been applied to anything since Bush took office.