Bi-Partisanship is Hurting Democrats

After the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy last week, a parade of Republicans lined up to bemoan how his departure could spell the end of bi-partisanship in the Senate with regards to the healthcare bill. Because, as we all know, "bi-partisanship is a one-way street in Republicanland". Kennedy is gone. Ipso-facto, these guys can't be "bi-partisan" with anyone else, right?

When Democrats are in power, Republicans cry about "bi-partisanship", how "half the country" lacks representation and "their concerns deserve consideration too". But when Republicans controlled the White House and both Houses of Congress, they talked of "a permanent Republican majority".

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To the public, "compromise shows weakness". The implication is that if you are willing to compromise on your core-beliefs, then they couldn't of been that important to begin with. President Obama keeps compromising on what "Healthcare Reform" actually means, and repeatedly gets nothing in return. Not only does he not win any Republican support, but he loses public support. When Republicans demand "bipartisanship", what they're REALLY demanding are "concessions" from Democrats. How many principles can you name that Republicans have budged on when it comes to healthcare reform?

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President Obama and the Democrats keep compromising on their principles, and get nothing in return... less actually... losing public support while the Republican opposition appears to be "standing up for their principles" and threatening to "retake Congress" in the next election. Bill Maher put it best when he said "it is time for President Obama to start acting like George Bush", who didn't give a crap about being "bipartisan" or spend one minute worrying about what the Democrats want. They called a 52% election night victory "a mandate" that gave them the right to ram their agenda through with fewer votes than we have now. And when Democrats in the Senate complained, Republicans threatened "the nuclear option" to take away their right to filibuster.

Did ANY of that hurt John McCain's chances of being elected President? I don't even remember it being an issue. Stop compromising and stand up for what you believe in. The voters will still respect you in the morning. FAR more than they respect people that hold no principle so dear they won't sell it out.