Comments on: The Bipartisan Tango http://themoderatevoice.com/26142/the-bipartisan-tango/ An Internet hub with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, indies, centrists, moderates, and right Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:05:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: kritt11 http://themoderatevoice.com/26142/the-bipartisan-tango/comment-page-1/#comment-171384 kritt11 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:27:34 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/26142/the-bipartisan-tango/#comment-171384 The Republicans know that they will offend their base if they are seen as working in a bipartisan way with Democrats.<br><br>McCain was vilified by some of his own party for working with Feingold and Kennedy when he was seeking the Republican nomination. He is now viewed by some as a traitor for finding common ground with Obama on several issues.<br><br>Obama is right about Americans' confidence in a recovery, and he has actually taken solid steps towards bipartisanship--- it is now up to Republicans to decide if they will spend the next 4 years obstructing er standing by their "principles", LOL. The Republicans know that they will offend their base if they are seen as working in a bipartisan way with Democrats.

McCain was vilified by some of his own party for working with Feingold and Kennedy when he was seeking the Republican nomination. He is now viewed by some as a traitor for finding common ground with Obama on several issues.

Obama is right about Americans' confidence in a recovery, and he has actually taken solid steps towards bipartisanship— it is now up to Republicans to decide if they will spend the next 4 years obstructing er standing by their “principles”, LOL.

]]> By: JSpencer http://themoderatevoice.com/26142/the-bipartisan-tango/comment-page-1/#comment-171331 JSpencer Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:49:41 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/26142/the-bipartisan-tango/#comment-171331 I think anyone who has followed politics with a fair level of interest over the past couple decades realizes (whether or not they choose to admit it) that democrats are generally more inclined toward a willingness to make nicey nicey than are republicans. I also believe it's very easy (post Clinton witchhunting of the 90s and post Bush II) to view that greater disposition on the part of the dems as a weakness or liability. In this case, however, I believe Obama's interest in bipartisanship is based on the knowledge that it can be a powerful tool for his administration. If he struck me as a naive person, then I would worry more about republicans grabbing the bar and trying to move it (which of course they will try to do) but I don't think there is anything about this reaching out that is soft or naive. If the republicans respond to a genuine willingness to include them in the process by trying to take advantage in some less than well intentioned means, then I wouldn't be surprised to see them set back on their heels fairly quickly. I think anyone who has followed politics with a fair level of interest over the past couple decades realizes (whether or not they choose to admit it) that democrats are generally more inclined toward a willingness to make nicey nicey than are republicans. I also believe it's very easy (post Clinton witchhunting of the 90s and post Bush II) to view that greater disposition on the part of the dems as a weakness or liability. In this case, however, I believe Obama's interest in bipartisanship is based on the knowledge that it can be a powerful tool for his administration. If he struck me as a naive person, then I would worry more about republicans grabbing the bar and trying to move it (which of course they will try to do) but I don't think there is anything about this reaching out that is soft or naive. If the republicans respond to a genuine willingness to include them in the process by trying to take advantage in some less than well intentioned means, then I wouldn't be surprised to see them set back on their heels fairly quickly.

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