President Obama's request to support Democrats on November 2, 2010 is one I agree with. However, without an end to the filibuster in the Senate I do not see what he wants me to believe will get done in the next two years that did not get done in his first two years.
The Democrats must promise to end the filibuster in the Senate if they are to be taken seriously! If the democrats do not end the filibuster in the Senate and retain a majority the next two years will be like the last two years (i.e. Republicans filibuster everything, everything gets watered down to get support from 1 or 2 moderate Republicans and everything is a 1/2 measure when our country needs full action). The Republicans will simply use the filibuster rule to hold up anything they do not like. So many people are not convinced that electing Democrats will make any difference. It will still be stalemate even if the Republicans win Senate and House because Obama will veto anything they pass.
The only solution for the necessary fundamental change legislation that is needed is same party control of House, Senate and Presidency with no filibuster rule. Any other combination leads to gridlock as the evidence clearly shows.
Here is the solution.
The Democrats could energize the electorate if they promise to deliver change and end the filibuster. Imagine if the vote in November, in every Senate race, was whether you want to end the filibuster and pass legislation or not. Democrats could actually gain seats on such a platform. And if you do not like their legislation you can defeat all 435 House members, 1/3 of the Senate and the President in 2012.
There are several interesting papers on how to end the filibuster, but the one I prefer is the adoption of new rules at the start of the new session of congress. See http://tomudall.senate.gov/...
We have seen 2 years of inaction on the real issues that need to be addressed and unless the filibuster rule is changed that will continue.