Here’s the story Republicans are telling themselves:
Despite the protestations of Democrats, this election was not a mandate for bipartisanship. (Isn’t it funny how the losers always want bipartisanship?) The electorate chose divided government not to increase cooperation between the parties, but to increase gridlock. It’s not “What is the government doing for me?”; it’s “What is the government doing to me?”
In politics, you’re on borrowed time as soon as you stop listening to the voters. After huge losses in 2006 and 2008, Republicans had to show that they heard the voters and were willing to change. They went on listening tours, held town-hall meetings, and produced a Pledge to America that was directly informed by the voters’ input. They also got serious about spending with a self-imposed earmark moratorium, which has now been extended through the entire 112th Congress.
Now Republicans have erased all the Democratic gains of 2006 and 2008, and then some, in a single cycle. So are Democrats listening to the voters and changing in response? Absolutely not. They mouth promises about jobs, reducing the deficit, and cutting earmarks, but there is no action.
The reality is that the electorate opposes gridlock by a 56-31 percent margin. If the Republicans think they have their hand on the pulse of the electorate, they’re wrong.
