We tried "bi-partisanship" - it didn't work.

[kentuck]

As much as the President would like to work in a bi-partisan way, the times are too critical and the situation at hand requires immediate action. It would have been nice if the Republicans had agreed to work with the Democrats to come up with some solutions. However, more taxcuts for the wealthy is not a solution. And that is really all that they have offered.

Unfortunately, the "bi-partisan" effort needs to be swept aside for the moment. We don't have the time or the patience for the political games of the Republicans. Just like Clinton and the Democrats did when they passed the tax increases and stimulus in 1993 without a single Republican vote, the Party needs to do the same thing once again. They need to get the job done, with or without the Republicans.

When the Republican Party has spokesmen such as Newt Gingrich on TV, he was on "This Week", to espouse the virtues of "bi-partisanship", we know they are not serious. It is time to get the job done without them. We will keep the door open for future bi-partisan efforts but it is time to get something done, with or without the Republicans.

[Joe Chi Minh]

1. Remember, date-rape never does. They taught the Dems that. Not that they listened.

[ikojo]

2. After the Clinton experience in the 1990s and the

last eight years, there should have not been a try. Obama and his advisors should have known that the Republicans take bipartisanship to mean they can ram their agenda down the throats of the American people and the Democrats.

[opihimoimoi]

3. The Pubs are wishing for Obama to FAIL...they wanna see the day they return to POWER

They will lie cheat and steal to get their way

[AndyTiedye]

4. Sadly, Repiggies and "Blue Dogs" Control the Senate

:cry:

[ejpoeta]

5. i honestly don't think it ever was bipartisanship

because for bipartisanship you have to have two parties acting in good faith. and i do believe that the republicans never intended to participate, because they saw an opportunity. they could care less about the minions out here. as long as their constituents, which are the rich corporations are doing ok.... then screw the rest of us.

[kentuck]

6. President Obama offered the hand of "bi-partisanship"...

and the Republican bit it off. The 42% tax cuts in the bill were just not enough for them, I suppose?

[Bluebear]

8. And three cabinet members.

Wait! Maybe it's not too late to appoint a Republican to the HHS slot! :silly:

[kentuck]

9. Yep.

And Judd Gregg at Commerce still burns my ass.

[Inuca]

7. It is a bit early to draw conclusions n/t

[Bjorn Against]

14. No, if anything it is too late. Bi-partisanship has proven to be a disaster time and time again.

The war in Iraq had bi-partisan support, the Patriot Act had bipartisan support, torture had bipartisan support, the bailout of the banks had bi-partisan support, a health care system run by the insurance companies and HMOs had bi-partisan support, time and time again bi-partisanship has proven to be disastrous. The Republicans have no good ideas, their ideas have proven to be failures every single time and when we work with them on their agenda then we are guaranteeing that we will fail as well.

[Ardent15]

10. The Republicans don't know how to run government...

...so they make sure it fails.

We don't need them.

[TahitiNut]

11. The GOP definition of "fairness" is that the wealthiest 1% get 20% of the benefits.

They're despicable. :puke: Those Democrats who countenance that dreck are detestable.

Even in the 'spending' for infrastructure, the GOP insists on PRIVATIZED (for profit) activities where the owners siphon off public dollars before paying the laborers. Every mechanism we might try to create jobs for the working class is burdened by the 'ownership class' ... the same folks who've driven the economy into the ditch.

[stillcool]

12. They are dead serious...

and so is the media. One article, one accusation, can flip perception and bring down a politician, or kill a bill. And we help.

[Gin]

13. Rethugs take kindness as weakness........it may be good in theory

to do the bipartisan thing... but in practice...they will run right over him.
I hope this was lesson learned...all they want is to be re-elected..and lower taxes....not fix this mess,

[stillcool]

17. It is a bunch of hooey...

Obama is doing the do, shooting for an inclusive government, that will have broad support from the American "people", with a desire to move the country the only way one can..through legislation. The Republicans and the media are having a feeding frenzy trying to create the perception of defeat for the administration, which is fine..as long as the legislation is passed. I don't know if people are falling for the show or not. It seems they are. No one seems to have gotten the message of the 'bottom up thing', or people taking responsibility as to how their representatives and Senators vote on issues that are important to them. The phone thing is too much to ask. The Republicans to me, are getting more like George Bush everyday. The more I see them, the more I loathe them.

[LibDemAlways]

18. The repuke Congressman who "represents" my

district votes against the average person 100% of the time, yet he still gets re-elected every two years with 60-65% of the vote. He never campaigns or holds a town hall meeting or even sends out a newsletter. Nothing. He's accountable to no one except the lobbyists who keep him in Brooks Brothers suits.

Is it asking too much to suggest that people pay attention to what their elected "representatives" are doing (or not doing) and to throw them out on their asses when they fail to even pretend to be interested in their constituents? Apparently it is.

[and-justice-for-all]

15. We tried "bi-partisanship" - it didn't work. SO SCREW THE REPUKES!!

[ljm2002]

16. Precisely.

Let them make the next overture of bipartisanship -- after we have enacted policies that fit our agenda, not theirs.