Obama likes to highlight the fact that he can work across the aisle

[hiaasenrocks]

and I think that's one of his strengths, actually.

Why do so many people here disagree with Obama on this? I see lots of posts expressing disgust that he would even talk to Republicans about certain issues/decisions.

Is this something that is going to cause problems for you during his presidency? How do you plan to change his mind?

[babylonsister]

1. I also think this is a strength and asset for Obama. nt

[MonkeyFunk]

2. I don't see people complaining about working across the aisle...

but choosing a Republican running-mate goes far beyond that, as does adopting some of their positions.

There are plenty of areas where dems and republicans can find common ground, or achieve compromise. Nobody complains about that.

[Cleita]

3. It depends on whom he is working across the aisle with.

Rubber stamping Bush's agenda isn't working across the aisle to me and I hope that he is firm enough in his principles not to do that.

[depakid]

4. That's code for enabling and legitimizing far right policies

And if he's elected- it will mean the same thing it meant during the Clinton years:

Abdicating traditional Democratic values and furthering corrupt corporatist agendas.

Not only does that result in dysfunctional public policy, but it reinforces the perception that Democrats are weak, malleable and unprincipled.

[anonymous171]

5. My problem is that dems don't know the difference between compromise and capitulating

That's the problem we face in congress and in the senate. The dems there think that letting the repugs do whatever they want is "compromise."