Originally posted by: Nines
The deep political polarization, social media pressure, and egotism from individuals and parties has almost completely eroded any incentive for compromise / finding common ground. One can't find a common ground relationship today as that exhibited by Reagan and Tip Oneill who were fierce ideological opponents but worked together to solve some problems. They were both patriots in that respect.
I think I've argued with you about this before. I know everyone likes to say its a pox on both houses ....and both sides are just mirror images of each other. I just dont think that measures up to recent history.
Since Obama took office Republicans have been completely against working with Democrats on anything. John Boehner went on 60 minutes and was asked if there was any way he could compromise with Democrats on anything - He said he despised the word. Paul Ryan went to his colleagues on the first day of the Obama Inauguration and vowed to unconditionally opposse Obama on everything regardless of agreement or none. We saw this again in 2012 when the Republican candidates for president where all on stage for the debate and asked if they would accept a compromise with Democrats that favored them 10:1. Only one hand went up from the 8 contestants and he was booed by the audience. And if you are a Republican running for office today you cant get through a primary on a platform of cross-aisle-cooperation.
Every Democratic candidate for president since Clinton has openly campaigned and marketed themselves as someone who could work across the aisle in good faith with Republicans. Thats not just something they did in once in office as an olive branch - they actually could markert that dynamic to their base and get passed a primary.
Working across the aisle is not a deal breaker for Democrat candidates with their base. It is with Republicans.
