Predictions about Obama and Congressional Republicans

[Proud Liberal Dem]

Thinking ahead to the next Congress, does anybody have any predictions about if and how Congressional Republicans might work (or not work as the case may be) with Obama?

1. Will they fall into lockstep (particularly in the Senate) to block and/or filibuster most, if not all, pieces of Democratic-sponsored legislation- taking the more "obstructionist" route. If so, who will likely lead these efforts?

2. Will they work with Obama and the Democrats to help craft genuinely bipartisan legislation? If so, who are the Republicans most likely to reach across the aisle and work with Obama and the Democrats?

3. Will they merely stand aside and let Democrats pass their legislation while sniping on the sidelines and predicting a disastrous outcome as a result of their agenda (less likely)?

Predictions? Thoughts?

:shrug:

[Lil Missy]

1. I think efforts to obstuct would backfire on them in the current political climate.

Which is why I hope they try it. Means more seats gained for us in 2010.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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[FrenchieCat]

3. Obama will pull a people bully pulpit tour on them,

and they'll reconsider being the snots that they are.

[H2O Man]

4. Right.

Things will begin to get ugly by next fall. President Obama will ask the grass roots to remind elected officials that they can -- and will -- be voted out of office. Those up for re-election in 2010 will be the test-cases.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

5. They'll play along with the popular stuff, filibuster rarely at least for the first year.

[whatwasthequestion]

6. I have hopes and beliefs

1. I hope that this is not an option. For such an historic
election outcome, I would HOPE that they (the losers) might
display some decorum and debate any differences. I think
debate would benefit both sides, as we might understand each
and that maybe...we agree to the "end", but as to
the "means"; "to the Victor, belong the
spoils/means..."
2. I believe this may depend on we treat our own, i.e.
easy-does-it, folks...Leiberman, Reid, et. al.
3. I believe this is both most likely and most unfortunate.
One of the parties/peoples must display graciousness-and as I
said before-decorum and ask that the other party join, once
again (somewhat), in politics that stops at the waters edge.
Oh, Looorrrd, Kuuuumm Baa yaaaaahhhh.
Good question, butlerd.

[AlinPA]

7. Total obstruction, starting with filibustering of all Obama cabinet.

They do not want Obama to be effective. They will stop at nothing.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. I didn't have a chance earlier to post my thoughts but here they are

1. Will they fall into lockstep (particularly in the Senate) to block and/or filibuster most, if not all, pieces of Democratic-sponsored legislation- taking the more "obstructionist" route. If so, who will likely lead these efforts?

I certainly hope not but I'm pretty sure that at least McConnell and Lott, who beta-tested their own brand of hyper-obstructionism in the last Congress, will give it a go. It remains to be seen, however, how their fellow Republicans might react. If Obama and the rest of the Democrats in Congress express a genuine willingness to invite the GOP into the discussion on legislation (which I'm sure that they will) that might help marginalize the "dead-enders" and discourage them from actively filibustering everything that comes up for a vote. In the best case scenario they might even end up alienating members of their own party. I think that Obama and the Democrats and in the Senate have used their treatment (or non-treatment as it were) of Lieberman to signal a desire and willingness to accept and work with their political opponents, a favor that few, if any of them, have extended to us in recent years (IMHO their attitude has largely been one big FU)

2. Will they work with Obama and the Democrats to help craft genuinely bipartisan legislation? If so, who are the Republicans most likely to reach across the aisle and work with Obama and the Democrats?

I hope that Republicans will at least play a constructive role in the fashioning of any legislation, particularly since that will create more "buy-in" for them and get more legislation through. I think that there is plenty of room for agreement on broad goals. The means may differ but I'm o.k. with having a good honest debate over how to get to where we all want to go.

3. Will they merely stand aside and let Democrats pass their legislation while sniping on the sidelines and predicting a disastrous outcome as a result of their agenda?

Unless it's something that they really don't want to stick their necks out for and/or think it's a loser for whomever votes for it, I doubt that they will be quite so passive. The Republicans just aren't the passive type in general IMHO.

[ShadowLiberal]

9. In the senate they have to be willing to compromise some

The fact is they won't have the votes to filibuster everything with moderates and vulnerable incumbents voting the other way on some issues.

Serious filibuster attempts will have to be saved on really important stuff that most of the GOP is united on, or stuff that public opinion is actually on their side and they can get a few democrats on their side for.