I've decided Obama needs a Republican strategist or his right hand running the Dem's show. Maybe he/she can get them all in line and agreeing to something sooner? While I appreciate the diversity of the Dems (the idea they all have their OWN minds), it can sometimes cause hazards along the way.
I've always said that Republicans were pig headed and like puppy dogs when they did everything their leaders (masters) demanded of them, never thinking for themselves (except for Senator Snow and a couple of others - but even they will end up sticking with the Party on real important issues); but they sure seem to at least get what the leadership wants by doing so.
Just look at the Bush administration years for an example. He was able to get his people (and several Democrats as well) in line for two wars, spying on Americans, 6 tax cuts (mainly for the wealthy), hide the fact that Bush himself relied heavily on the Enron CEO's for his campaign, ignore Wall Street's abusive power, lie about a CIA agent's leak investigation, torturing prisoners and that's just a sampling of issues. All major national security and economical issues, not just social issues. I've often wondered how the Democrats would have handled those eight years after 9/11.
Anyway, the Republicans are able to draw the line in the sand and force all others to stay there. It's a shame my fellow Democrats can't do the same, at least on the big national security and economic issues...just once in awhile.
It's so sad that with the amount of leverage President Obama had back in January of 2009 that he blew it by trying to 'get everybody on board', including Republicans on his policies. While commendable for attempting to include everyone, it was foolish dreaming it might work.
I think he saw their joining him in the initial bailout situation (that started under their watch) and felt the Republicans would do the same with all the rest (the additional bailouts, the Recovery Act and health care reform) of his actions. He was foolish to think they would. And as usual, Republicans were able to 'just so NO', each and every time, even if against their own individual judgments and cause havoc all along the way for Obama and the Democrats.
After the initial vote on the Recovery Act you would have thought Obama had learned his lesson, he didn't.
His next big move in my humble opinion is to change the 60 vote limit rule. It should be done now while Democrats still control the House. It's the one thing that's been forcing him to get a few Republicans on board (because he can't get all the Democrats there). I hope he listens otherwise he'll get nothing done the next two years.