Clinton, Obama, Biden--all of them took office with a majority of the country saying "FINALLY!" and the darkest forces of the Republican machine doing anything BUT wallowing in despair. They immediately got to work on planning the destruction of any progress the incoming administration could possibly accomplish.
While Clinton was trying to fix "the economy, stupid," the Republicans started work on their "Contract" with/on America. Bush Lite did such a terrible job that even Cheney knew the next president would be a Democrat. But they got to work before the curtain fell, and put Alito and Roberts on the Supreme Court. Imagine what was discussed in the Oval Office while Rove and Cheney were interviewing them (with W listening--to what I couldn't say, maybe Springsteen)? Not civil rights or health care, for sure. No, it was the upcoming Citizens United and the suppression of parts of the Voting Rights Act. "If something like Citizens United got enacted, challenged, and it came before the Court, would you vote to uphold it? Yes? OK, you're the nominee." "If you had the chance to declare a legal end to parts of the Voting Rights Act, would you do so? Yes? OK, you're the nominee."
When Obama was nominated, McTurtle came right out and said he would attempt to block anything Obama wanted. And so he did. He didn't always get his way, but after the ACA was passed, he threw one roadblock after another, many of them successful, especially when Scalia made his early exit. Blocking Garland was a military coup worthy of the worst Banana Republic.
Joe Biden has a precarious hold on the House and Senate, but, like you said, teetering. If there is a political free ride somewhere, it's at the opposite end of the universe from where we are now.
?1626140058
= new reply since forum marked as read
