Am I crazy? I see this as a blessing in disguise.

[timkainemustgo]

The Republicans can no longer just sit there and say no. People expect them to get something done. The only way they can get anything done is to comprimise with Obama. I hope they go after him with investigations, etc. This will backfire on them badly.

Also, I think we kept the Senate by a decent margin. I was thrilled when Clorado came through.

[yourout]

1. I am worried about an all out cave in by the Dems to any and everything.

Hope I am wrong.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. That's my concern too. However;

I can't help thinking the loss of the blue dogs will stand in our favor ultimately. And if we run real Progressives in the next election, it'll bring out voters who are tired of rethugs in dem clothing.

[demosincebirth]

10. I hope so too.But many are just lap dogs when the going gets tough...thats in the senate.

[elleng]

2. Not crazy, and correct, they must govern.

We hope people recognize when they don't. Prob then, media still plays the 'ignore' game.

[midnight]

4. Maybe you have a point......

But losing Sen. Feingold will be the hardest reason to consider this a blessing.

[Ozymanithrax]

5. Republicans in power is not a blessing in disuise...

It is rape by an uggly elephant.

[iamjoy]

6. I Wish I Had Your Optimism

I think this is nothing short of disastrous.

First, let's look at Congress. The Republicans are going to pass their right wing crap. It will be stalled in the Senate. The Republicans will blame the Democrats for blocking legislation to help Americans. Remember, despite what Boehner and his pals say now, they doesn't want to work with Obama and the Democrats, they want to destroy them.

Next, let's look at the Senate. We kept that, but remember, the seats up for election now are those most recently won in 2004 (there may be a few replacements, but most of them are from 2004). In 2004, a lot of Republicans won. Thus, Democrats weren't really defending that many seats this time around. In 2012, however, there will be more Democratic seats to defend, as it will be the re-election of those who rode in on the Democratic wave in 2006. Given the Republican strategy of don't compromise, I see 2012 as a tough year for Senate Dems.

And, how many of us were paying attention to the state races? Republicans made big gains in state legislatures and governor's races. That means they get to draw the lines for redistricting. They will be sure to use gerrymandering to get rid of any good progressive Dems left in the House.

Meanwhile, expect the corporate interests to be emboldened as they realize how easy it is to buy elections. Now that one true champion of campaign finance reform has been eliminated and the other has been nuetered, don't expect any progress on that front.

It is not going to be OK.

[pstokely]

17. Senate in 2012 really depends on the economy and messaging

Some of the Dems up in 2012 are from safe Blue States. If voters think they economy is improving, higher turnout will help Dems. If they think it's not, Repukes will gain the senate. We'll take back Ted's seat in MA in 2012

[trayfoot]

23. I agree with you!

Not going to be OK for a very long time!

[CakeGrrl]

7. If they had to take something, just as well it's the House

Because now they have to share some responsibility rather than sitting back and whining that the President isn't working with them.

Now they're on the hook for making something productive happen, and they have to get it past the Senate and/or the President's veto pen.

And for everyone who fears the dreaded Presidential capitulation, the President has incentive not to greenlight shitty legislation.

[ginnyinWI]

13. no more party of "no"

You have a good point. No more whining--get something done now!

And it will also help Obama win re-election. Because he will be forced to slow down which will make the independents happy.

[texastoast]

8. Republican law will favor anything but the little guy, the environment, or civil rights

So I hope all the infighting between the establishment of the party and their new teabagger caucus proves to be as entertaining and impeding as I hope. But I doubt the "liberal media" will spin against them. Keep tuned to alternative sources of news of Capitol Hill to watch the teabaggers assigned to the Latrine Cleaning Committee by their established peers.

[backscatter712]

9. Also, now that they're the cocky majority, it's gonna be their turn to have a civil war.

Grab some popcorn - the teabaggers and the neo-cons won't be able to get along much longer...

[liberalmuse]

11. It is more like a shit sandwich.

I guess the bread part isn't so bad, but once you put the shit in the middle, the bread loses it's appeal. I don't know what that means. The election has clearly driven me insane. I suppose the Democratic Senate and President Obama are the bread part...

Maybe some good can come if it - perhaps American's will finally see Boehner's true face. It's ORANGE, with little discolored trails made by all his tears, people!

[Quixote1818]

12. They were going to obstruct everything he did anyway. At least now

they are expected to get results and can't just say no.

[PufPuf23]

14. Politics in the USA is a trainwreck

I agree with your screenname; Kaine never should have been in his position.

We did good in California at least. Maybe CA will set some new trends of sanity.

[mzmolly]

15. Now they share some responsibility, yes.

I don't think you're crazy. :D Welcome.

[sohndrsmith]

16. You're right. They can't. But I don't doubt that this is their MO:

1. Obama failed in his first 2 years WITH a Dem House and Senate (they will ignore their obstruction, and people will let them).

2. Obama WONT LET US pass legislation (popular that they previously obstructed, manipulated beyond recognition)!

3. REPUBLICANS are the ONLY ONES who want (popular legislation that "Obama" refused (no, the GOP obstructed - hence - refused to enact) what the "American people" want - something the GOP/TP keep proclaiming to know, but it never makes sense whatsoever...

The power play is so simplistic and obvious it's almost chilling that we don't get it... Blaming Obama for his inability to be bipartisan after refusing to even acknowledge his existence? Oh, but now that they have the House, they're guaranteed to claim Obama's lack of cooperation when they demand incomprehensible, unworkable propositions.

That any of us falls for this is what would be really discouraging, not that they'll do it - because that's guaranteed...

[XemaSab]

18. I'm feeling it too

I think having a real "enemy" to play off against might motivate the dems.

[Fly by night]

19. Yes.

This election -- the first since Citizens United and the one before redistricting -- is a pathetic portent of things to come.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

20. "The only way they can get anything done is to comprimise with Obama"

They don't want to accomplish anything. They want to obstruct everything President Obama does, prolong the recession, and then blame it on him and defeat him in 012.

How can anybody not get this?

[queenjane]

21. The state house wins were bigger for them than the House

Here in NC, the GOP won both senate & house for the first time in, oh, many moons. Now they control redistricting. They can pretty much guarantee long-term control of the House seats.

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

22. Its not a blessing in Florida

they now have total control a veto proof majority. Florida will be going back to the 18th century. Women's rights, gay rights, environmental rights--all gone.

[polichick]

24. Yes, what happened in Florida is heartbreaking. nt

[COLGATE4]

25. Wishful thinking. You're still in the 'denial' phase of coping with this tragedy.