Who thinks there will, or should, be a bipartisan mood in Congress?
817562
Why ask for responses?  you answered you're own question....and damn well at that!
936882
While the Democrats control the House without question, the Senate is still undecided. Either way the president is now a lame duck. However, the label also applies to Democrats at this point. The reason is because the president can veto any legislation they attempt to pass. The conclusion here is don't count on anything substantive happening in government for the next 2 years unless the Democrats truly embrace bi-partisan legislation efforts.
981843
Is that a statistical question (i.e. are the Republicans going to lose?) or a normative one (should we be concerned if they do lose)? Anyway, check out the following website -- it tracks polls in house and senate and gives a day-by-day analysis of what each chamber will be:\nhttp://www.electoral-vote.com
924188
I think Nancy Pelosi has some great leadership skills and will help set  a direction for the Democrats. I am and Independent who dislikes both parties but voted for Democrats this time as it is a time for a change. Whether it will be positive remains to be seen. I have not heard of a specific direction and program agenda that they have. I do hope for the sake of the nation both parties can get us headed in the right direction. Enough of the scare tactics by Bush regarding national security. Lets actually see what can be done here not abroad to make use safer. I don't care whether Iraq stands up as a democracy or goes down the toilet. They will tear each other up based upon 2000 years of violent history and sectarian violence. Typical third world mentality. We should not abandon them but we do need to start withdrawing.
728402
I concur, and sadly I don't think we've seen the worst of the wanna be emperor. Bush and the republicans are acting like the azz kicking they got  a month ago at thte polls was an aberration. Bipartisanship and Bush is an oxymoron. He will go down kicking and screaming like the spoiled child that he is.
834864
I'm not a big Nancy Pelosi fan, but I hope she does a better job of working toward bipartisanship than the last speaker did. These people are elected officials. No ones opinion on any matter, if they are speaking for their constituents, should be disregarded. This whole "voting party lines" garbage is ignorant and undemocratic. Their job is to look out for the best interests of their constituents, not their party. I am hopeful for January, and I hope that they remember what we sent them there to do. They need to remember that their continued employment is at the whim of the people, as many learned this week..\n\nThere are about a half dozen Democrats that would have been a better choice for speaker, though, but Pelosi is a decent Catholic family woman, regardless of what I think of her as a politician.
324382
Unless someone can shift the focus (or Congress can pass a compromise bill), Border Security and the Iraq occupation (both terrorism issues) will probably dominate the political landscape. \n\nSomething *has* been done about health care and social security in the most recent term; making it more of a local issue. If people in the district are extremely for or against the recent reforms, it will play locally. Abortion will also have play locally; but unless there's a ramp-up in the anti-abortion forces, or another outbreak of violence surrounding clinics it's a secondary issue.\n\nNobody in Washington wants to talk about corruption, lobbyist reform, the growing deficit or taxes; so it's an issue for the opposition.\n\nAs a minister, the biggest issue for me is gay marriage. To me, a government prohibition on gay marriage is equivalent to saying "People born on Tuesday can't take Holy Communion."
759514
The Dems are in a tight spot alright.  They can't be seen as bullies or cowards.  Now that they have control of both Houses (barely in the Senate) they have allot more responsibility for Iraq, the economy, the environment...etc.  I'm hoping for a more bipartisan atmosphere in all branches of the federal government, but not really expecting it.  Even if everyone in D.C. cooperated (which they almost certainly won't) two years isn't enough time to fix everything.  Personally I think making reparations to the people of Iraq for the s**t storm we stirred up could and should take generations.  The most the Dems can hope for under Bush is to make things better enough for enough people to not get blamed for making things worse.
281803
Congress is bicameral. There is the House of Representatives and the Senate.
953101
I think it it would force the parties to understand they have to start working together.\nCurrently both parties are focused on what is best for the party, NOT what is best for the people, a third party would force an end to this abomination.
798908
what they mean is if the republicans agree with their partisan plans they will call it  bipartisan. the thing is they had 12 years to be bi partisan and couldn't do it.\n\nthey have no plans to work with republicans . watch the very first week they will cry about gridlock and the non cooperation of republicans.
860679
I really think we will see a virtual stalemate for the next 2 years and I do not believe it will be because of the Republicans. Many of the Democrat leadership are beholding to the far left, but many of the newly elected Democrats are much more moderate. Personally I think what you will see is a lot of Democrat infighting, especially if the remaining Republicans stand up for traditional conservative principles. The one area where I am very worried is on the illegal immigration front. I think there is a definite chance that they will try to pass the Kennedy/McCain immigration bill from the Senate. The stumbling block before was the House, but that block has been removed and if it makes it to the President' desk he will sign it because it is exactly what he has wanted all along.
797729
I am a liberal who usually votes Democrat.  Having said that, I must also say that you make some excellent points.  The main thing the Democrats and Republicans can do is to end the pervasive divisiveness in congress.  In fairness to the Democrats I will say that the majority in bioth house has completely shut out any ideas differing from their own.  The new congress must not make that mistake.\n\nSome of your points, while important to remember, are not quite realistic.  The Democrats may have a two vote lead in the Senate and a good lead in the House but the President is still George Bush, Republican.  The fair question is what will Democrats, Republicans and the Pressident do now.  If the President attemts to work with this congress there can be progress.  If he, and/or the minority continue tactics of divisiveness then there will be gridlock.\n\nYour last point still applies.  They were voted in and those that put up roadblocks may well be voted out.
700579
I agree in general. You are right in that a lot of the newly elected individuals were moderate and hopefully the things which can and will be done will be more along the mainstream of what is necessary for our nation. I do think we need a new strategy with Iraq but we can not just leave. I just hope the traditional method of the democrats is not the norm. The Dems have historically felt that through taxation they could solve anything. So hopefully those in office will work in a bi partisan effort to solve the issues before them.
632825
It refers to two groups agree on the same terms.  In the US Congress, if you see bipartisan that means both parties (Democrats and Republicans) are supporting a certain legislation.
1002614
I agree completely.  I'm often torn because of certain issues i feel strongly about and i have no choice.  recently in this borders/immigration debate i felt like we were sold down the river by both parties, and i don't think either of the two parties owns the exclusive rights on corruption.  we need more choice...and more control over our govt.\n\nP.S.  If nothing else at least one or more other viable parties would keep the other two on their toes and more responsive to their constituents.  Too many of these congressmen are growing old and comfortable getting reelected over and over and getting more and more out of touch with Americans everyday.
868345
Don't be so quick to assume the Democrats will screw everything up.\n\nI'm not a member of the "far-left", but I am a Democrat, and I don't think that ultra-liberals, as their called by the right, have enough representation in Congress to do anything.  Most of the Democrats elected are either mainstream, moderate, and even a few conservative ones.  These types of Democrats best represent the majority of the Democratic Party.\n\nThose who make it on T.V. are usually very liberal Democrats, who are loud and will say anything to try to make their point.  It's the same with very conservative people, this is why Bill O'Reilly has his show.\n\nCongress will be more made up of those who reflect the majority of the nation's views, starting in January.  I look forward to this time, since we'll all hopefully have true representatives in Congress, who may actually get some work done.\n\n[Amended] If the new Democratic Congress fails, then they should, of course, face the same fate as the Republican Congress did.  However, I believe they should get more than two years to prove themselves.  The current Congress has had six, while under a Republican President, and errors and failures have run amuck.