So Republicans are reduced to playing politics only. No policy. Just politics. You've got to give them credit for playing the only card in their hand. If they did start talking policy, they'd soon be out of power permanently.

With a constituency that represents the top 5% (generously stated) and the 20% that are swayed by the political fervor of the Fox exhortations, what can they do? I'm always stunned to see how much of the populace, who don't pay much attention to policy, is swayed by the emotional and purely political rhetoric of the Right. It's their only card and they are playing for all they are worth.

Obama is doing what he must. He ran on the premise that we are Americans NOT Red or Blue. Politically, he must show that he went to extraordinary lengths to include both parties. You've got to believe that he knows what he'll finally have to do. We are one year in.... We have yet to see the fir fly. Patience.

I've got a post up this morning about the strategy. Obama understands "divide and conquer;" he just prefers to separate the wheat from the chaff.

According to the headline, "Republicans Gain Political Ground" in today's Washington Post, it appears their strategy is working. I've conceded that Republicans are just far better than Democrats at politicing. They know that they can return home and tell their constituants how they successfully blocked the massive liberal spending etc. but still gain points for bringing money to their districts. The hipocracy doesn't matter. They know that only about 2% of the country watches Rachael, and that unless this is beamed 24/7 on every possible news source in the United States, no one will get it or care. All that matters is, in the Fall, Democrats will take the blame for nothing getting done except lots of government spending. And, they will be right in a backwards kind of way. I don't believe the filibuster will be reined in, rules changed, because the Dems may need it some day themselves. Of course, they wouldn't have the nerve to use it so uncontrolably and wantonly as the Repubs. Rachaels spot on again as always. Get a freakin' spine Democrats, get real.

Good work Rachel, as usual. But just to play devil's advocate, are these guys just supposed to refuse the funding when everyone else is getting a piece? It wouldn't make them very popular in their districts. They're definitely hypocrites, we already knew that, but I don't think this argument is going to get very far with the average voter.

Bob - I think you're mistaken that there was ever a sincere effort to achieve bipartisanship. It's always been a show for the voters. You really think a guy as smart as Obama, who was accused by the mainstream republican establishment (before he even took office) of being a...
1) Communist
2) Socialist
3) Terrorist Sympathizer / befriender
4) Non-citizen / 'Manchurian Candidate'
5) Believer in black liberation theology
6) Secret Muslim

...genuinely thought that these people were going to negotiate in good faith, compromise, be open to pleas for bipartisanship, etc.?

Nah. He's too smart for that. His various efforts regarding "bipartisanship" have just been him playing smart politics all along, imho.