The first thing we have to realize, no matter how much we don’t want to admit it, is that the American people are fed up with partisan bickering, especially at critical times. I’m sure that President Obama understands that perfectly. That’s why he continues to say that he intends to "reach out to the other side" and that he is confident it will have positive results.
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The problem, as I see it, is that our definition of bi/post-partisanship exclusively involves elected officials/representatives. I don’t think that is what President Obama has in mind.
The events of last week confirm to me that when President Obama says he wants to "reach out to the other side" he means the people who identify themselves with the "other side". His town halls are open, questions not pre-scripted. He makes clear that questions from people are legitimate, stops booing, and gives questioners the dignity they deserve.
President Obama will be on the road a lot, at least once a week, speaking WITH people, including those who might be on "the other side." It works. His popularity continues to rank far above what the disingenuous opposition thought it would. Their attacks have not resonated with the vast majority of the American people.
We aren’t dealing with the last administration anymore. We should not underestimate President Obama, misunderestimating is a thing of the past. Every time we think we know better than he, we should remember this from the campaign: