Bipartisanship?

I found this image when perusing around in the "Reinstate Keith Olbermann" page on Facebook (he has since been reinstated, by the way. Looks like Mr. Griffin had a little realization about ratings?) It just makes me laugh. Pretty much sums up the state of political discourse lately. Surely the biggest challenge after the "lame-duck" session of congress will be how to get anything done with a split congress.

The mainstream media likes to compare past and present, but I think every congress is a little different. I think there will be a strain not only between left and right, but right and right. You have a huge influx of freshman congressmen and women who's primary allegiance is to the tea party, not necessarily the republican establishment. So who do they get behind? Jim DeMint or Mitch McConnell? This doesn't really look good for bipartisanship. Considering the midterms basically wiped out all of those "blue-dog democrats" who strove to find middle ground with moderate republicans (also few of those now), it seems like this congress is going to be pretty polarized. I think this plays politically well for the Democrats, if and only if they can get in line and make it clear what they want to do. Democrats have a bit of a message problem, and a bigger problem in communicating their NUMEROUS successes. Check out THIS for a comedic list of said accomplishments.

If President Obama and the Democratic party can get a little better at bragging about their accomplishments, the 2012 elections look good, presidentially and taking-back-congress wise. There is a lot of work to be done. For instance, you can't really brag about healthcare until you have cleaned up some of the misinformation about it that is still out there (death panels making a comeback, oh my!). Republicans are going to always have a slight advantage in this field because there is no mistaking the fact that Fox's lineup is in the bag for the Republicans. Millions of dollars and free campaigning in the bag.
I would reccomend the Obama administration be proactive about this. Don't begin the campaign today, you still have lots of work to be done, However, get your message out. Rallies, appearences, youtube videos? Rekindle the fire of 2008 and get your soldiers out there (like me!). Plan ahead, and by 2012 maybe the national conversation could be a little more...informed?

Don't worry too much about bipartisanship. Hold out your hand for them, sure. But expect it to be swatted. Until the republicans feel like ACTUALLY discussing issues, actually coming up with real-world solutions, don't let them take control of the discussion. Those of us who know things like tax cuts for millionaires actually INCREASES the deficit can see right through their concers about fiscal responsiblity (laughable!). Democrats are still the adults, as far as I'm concerned.

PATTY WINS!

Way to be a liberal firewall, West Coast!

What a relief.

I mean, I knew she had it. The conservative wave kinda crashed out in the midwest (didn't even reach Colorado, it seems). And WA is notoriously blue. But it's still scary to think that a little voter discontent could send DINO FUCKIN' ROSSI to represent us in the senate for the next six years. I mean, you get a bad representative, just hold on 2 years and they all are up for re-election (remember that, freshman republican congressmen/women). But Senators, they stick around.

And the ads are gone. Holy shit, it's great. I like being able to watch tv without wanting to throw something at it.
Especially since Citizens United, election ads have been particularly annoying to me. Foreign corportations, GTFO our electoral system. Please.

I'll keep an eye on Alaska, but who knows how long that will take. Other than that, I'm glad to see the midterms end. I was spending way more time analyzing polls than any 19 year old girl should.

2012 campaign starts now, I guess. I'm eager to see who the republicans throw out for nominees (Sarah Palin, please). However, I hope campaigning doesn't get in the way of making actual progress. No, Mitch McConnell, you first priority should be getting americans back to work. Not making Obama a "one term president". Yes, he actually said that.

I also want to say: Although I made a point about republicans most likely not being able to get things done, and that playing well for Obama, I don't want them to fail. Shit, if they can't create jobs, more power to them. I don't think they will. But I would never, ever, ever, EVER root for the country to fail simply so the other party would look bad. Because I have diginity/love my country. I would never wish ill will upon it. I'm looking at you, Rush Limbaugh.

Another reason why I want Sarah Palin to run for president is so Tina Fey can bring back the impression she perfected in 2008.
On letterman the other night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=042b17KpvrM