I have absolutly ZERO faith that the repubicans will be a part of any solutions Obama puts forward

[Stinky The Clown]

They will continue to whine and piss and moan. They will say they're out of it. They will criticize. But they will NEVER contribute in any meaningful way.

[mmonk]

1. They don't have to.

They would do many of the same things. They will just tell their constituents Obama is liberal and a socialist and they will believe it because they are truly and unequivocally stupid.

[TheWatcher]

2. I'm close to having Zero faith that our side will either, including Obama.

We'll see.

Actions, not Speeches.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Which is Odd, Because They Will Be Republican Solutions

From freezing budgets for social programs to warrentless wiretapping, Obama's has fully embraced Republican ideologies.

[AndyA]

4. I agree, but Obama and the Dems in Congress should have known that from the beginning.

I can understand giving the GOP an opportunity to participate and contribute, but after a short time it was very clear they had no intention of working with the Democrats at all. Their main objective was to work against them by blocking legislation, lying to the people about what was going on, and criticizing Democrats for their plan when the GOP offered nothing as an option.

At that point, while still riding high in public approval, Obama should have gone on national television and specifically mentioned what the GOP was doing. He should have told the people the Democrats had tried to work with the Republicans, and that the Republicans were refusing to cooperate. Therefore, the Democrats would be moving forward without them.

In short, Obama should have been the leader his job demanded, but he failed to lead.

I think the Republicans have made their intentions perfectly clear, and I hope Obama calls them out during the State of the Union. I hope he points out that GOP blocked legislation this last year has far exceeded that of any other year. With high unemployment, a slow economy, and everything else, Obama should state exactly how the Republicans are harming their constituents by their actions.

I'm pretty certain this will never happen, as it seems like the WEAK Democratic Party is only looking for an excuse to NOT DO THEIR JOBS. And with GOP obstacles, that gives the Dems a way to blame the other side.

[FormerDittoHead]

5. This mouse is done running through the maze. There's no cheese at the end of that tunnel.

This bipartisan stuff is ridiculous.

When will people start laughing at this stuff? It has no value.

As if Republicans have ideas we're not aware of.

Here's what Republicans can/will/do "contribute":

Increase rights of the rich and corporations.
Cut taxes for the rich.
Reduce market risks on the rich/corporations by shifting that risk to the gov't.
Shift the costs of gov't to the poor/middle class through 'fees' and 'excise taxes'.
Manage the economy so middle class people working all their lives have nothing by the time they die.
Improve corporations' ability to exploit irreplaceable natural resources (esp pollution).
Continue exporting manufacturing and maintaining middle class wages low.
Increase the cost / limit access to quality education.

Positives Republicans have to offer?

To serve as the alternative to vote for when I'm "sending a message" to Democrats that don't GET IT (see: NJ)

[FBaggins]

6. I disagree.

If he moves far enough to the right, they'll jump on the chance to "show bipartisanship"

When what they're really doing is using him to pass their own agenda when he's sucker enough... AND getting us to snipe at one another (further weakening support/turnout).