Eugene Robinson: Obama's opportunity to be the decider

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/18/AR2010111804879.html

We don't define periods in American history by who held the majority in Congress. It was the Reagan Era, not the Tip O'Neill Era - just as we're now living in the Obama Era, no matter what John Boehner or Mitch McConnell might hope.

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For what it's worth, my advice for Obama is to forget the Republicans. Not literally, of course - the new House leadership is going to make itself hard to ignore. But ultimately, it's the president who sets the agenda and who ultimately is held accountable for America's successes and failures. Obama's focus should be on using all the tools at his disposal to move the country in the direction he believes it must go.

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Progressives are right when they complain that the White House must do a much better job of making the case for its policies. But the challenge goes well beyond communications. Judging by the way they snubbed Obama's invitation to break bread together, Republicans seem eager for gridlock - and the chance to blame the president for not getting anything done.

That may be the GOP's preferred story line, but Obama can write a narrative of his own. He's the Decider now.

"...Obama can write a narrative of his own. He's the Decider now."