Here is the GOPs plan for the next two years....and not much we can do about it!

[KansasVoter]

First off, they will VOTE AS A GROUP which is something we can not do!

The GOP will Introduce Tax Cut Bills, and present them as "Job Creating" and "Economy Saving"......we will block them and they will blame the non-jobs on us.

And then block every Job Creation bill we try to pass and blame it on "They are too Expensive" and "We can't afford them".

No doubt their main goal is to "look" like they are trying to pass stuff that we block and then block everything we propose so the economy stays bad.

Then in 2012 we look like we did two days ago, and they look like the heros.

And with the American Public being 100% stupid, and with Citizens United in place, the strategy will work.

And I would love to hear how we counter this.

[Angry Dragon]

1. Did you mean "2012" and "two" instead of "to"

[KansasVoter]

6. Yes. Duhh! Thanks!!

[savalez]

2. Here's an interesting article that tackles this very topic

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/obama-can-pursue-busy-age_n_778583.html

[no_hypocrisy]

3. I'd rather have gridlock than let the new majority enact fascism on all levels.

[jobycom]

4. There are two ways to deal with it.

We (meaning Obama and the minority leaders in Congress) can do like Clinton. We can plot out what we want, what we can get, and what we absolutely must not give up, and we can work with the Republicans in the House, giving up just enough to make them feel they are getting something, while getting as much as we can, and drawing boxes around the Republicans to block their craziest excesses. This takes a firm grasp of one's own ideology, an ability to think three steps ahead of the other guy, and a willingness to take all the crap we will get from people who don't understand our compromises are an attempt to get as much as we can out of an impossible situation. It also takes strong leadership skills at working Congress (both parties) and working the American voter. Clinton had those abilities. Obama has some of those abilities, and is capable of learning the rest with experience.

Remember, Clinton was wiped out in his first mid-term, too, and still had a very successful president (even if a lot of people give him crap over the compromises he made in his attempt to get as much as he could out of an impossible situation). Obama can still do a lot.

The other way would be to block everything the Republicans try, never give an inch, never accomplish anything, and watch in horror as Ben Quayle gets sworn in in 2013.

I have high hopes over which we will do. I have dramatic fears, too.

[Johonny]

5. sounds like they want to block government agencies as well from regulating

look for a bill that will force congressional approval for any action by a government agency that might "cost" over X dollars. I.E. you plan to recall a car or some bad meat because people die. Congress says not so fast the oversight of that would cost too much for we the people and regulations cost jobs. Etc... same * in a new package. Didn't create jobs the last 30 years, won't create them now. It's sad so many Americans don't understand it and will lose their job (life) because of it. The Republicans plan to force defunding of government agencies. They won't spend less, the money will just go to the wealthy.

[ckfletcher]

7. My humble suggestion

And I would love to hear how we counter this.

1. Obama, Reid, and next house minority leader meet to come up
with a few "bright lines" such as "we will not
support any bill reducing access to affordable health
care", "we will not support any attempt to reduce
the deficit on the backs of the poor and middle class",
and a couple of others.

2.  Joint press conference announcing that they are prepared
to work with Republicans to do the people's business, but they
will not allow any bill crossing these "bright
lines" to become law.

3.  Reid must have a frank discussion with his caucus.  He
also must twist some arms and tell Lieberman and Ben Nelson
that they either support the caucus or they are out.

4.  When the House sends over bills, democrats try to amend
them to make them acceptable if possible.  If the Republicans
filibuster the amendments, then bring the original bill to a
vote with the Democrats voting to kill it.  Reid gives a press
release as to the specific reasons for the caucus opposing it.

Reid cannot let any objectionable bill reach Obama's desk. 
Obama must remain above the fray. The Democrat's fortunes live
and die on how Obama is perceived. Because he was recently
reelected, Reid must do the heavy lifting.
If the Democrats are united, then the progressives will be
energized.  Also, the public will become educated on some of
the wackiness of the Republican agenda.

[Bitwit1234]

8. I hate to say this but the only way the republicans will go away forever

is for them to cause the worst catastrophe this country has ever seen, and the public know that they are the ones responsible. The Democrats should make it very clear it was the republicans and that they could not stop it, because the public put republicans in charge. I hope it doesn't but folks that is what it is going to take.

[Dawson Leery]

9. McCain should have gotten this term.

There would have been a horrible depression.
25% unemployment and wages collapsing would have caused the people to see the failure of right wing economic policy.