Even though Republicans show few signs that they are humbled by their recent electoral losses and almost no ability to change, they will change because people adapt to their environment, and the power structure in Washington has changed dramatically. I see a lot of comments on blogs that predict that the Republicans will continue to be unified and effective as obstructionists in the next Congress. I don’t think they will. I base this not on any evidence of change, but on an observation about basic human dynamics.
One thing that will make it easier for Republicans to adopt a more accommodating strategy is the agressive outreach President-elect Obama is doing to high ranking members of their caucus.
President-elect Obama is waging a charm offensive on congressional Republicans. In recent days he has personally called at least a dozen ranking GOP members of committees he will need to work with next year…
…Some of these Republicans, who are poised to represent their party on issues ranging from the economy to healthcare to homeland security, say it is the most aggressive outreach from an incoming president that they can remember…
One Republican called it the biggest effort to engage Congress since former President Ronald Reagan.
“I think this seems to be a significant level of reaching out compared to other administrations, both Republican and Democratic,” said Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.), who is slated to take over the highest GOP post on the Ways and Means panel.
The comparison to Ronald Reagan is apt. Reagan worked assiduously to maintain a friendly relationship with Speaker Tip O’Neill and other powerful Democrats. Obama will have more freedom to maneuver because the opposition party is in the minority of both houses of Congress. But maintaining a respectful relationship with top Republicans can’t help but improve Obama’s ability to move legislation.
It won’t be long before Republicans learn that the old strategies of using FOX News and talk radio to bully their way to victory just isn’t going to work in a town that simply doesn’t believe that the president is the devil incarnate. It’s been sixteen years since we had a president that was seen as acceptable by the opposing party. We’ve built up some pretty high levels of toxicity over that time. But things are going to be different. Our problems are big enough now to demand that things are different.
