Have Republicans been more cooperative since the election?

[Still a Democrat]

It seems counter intuitive. But since the elections in November, it seems Republicans haven't been as rock solid in their opposition - DADT, START, 9-11 Responders, all seem to be getting more Republican support than they would have several months ago.

Thoughts?

[emulatorloo]

1. Less pressure on them to conform after the election, they don't have to be all teabaggish 24/7

Of course that doesn't hold true with the majority of them.

[WingDinger]

2. Obama's silent but deadly strategy has paid dividends.

wrote a song about it, and it goes like this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x46687

[rfranklin]

4. He farted?

Number one on the Bestseller List--"Who Cut the Cheese?"

[rucky]

3. No skin off their back.

Wait till Boehner's House is in session. :puke:

[Bumblebee]

5. I think it's because they are in the spotlight as a powerful force again

and, finally, it's really Obama versus them, and actually people like Obama much more, and it's easy to root against them, so they (or some of them) are being more careful. The elections may have had just a couple of bright spots for Obama, if he uses them well. So far, he apparently has. If Reid is smart, he will keep the Congress in session until the 9/11 bill is approved -- and the country will applaud that, it's a no-brainer. No issues are more unnuanced. Should be GOP's worst nightmare.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. The "lame duck" session of Congress hasn't been quite so "lame" to be sure

However, I respectfully remind you of their decision to hold everything "hostage" to an extension of the Bush Tax Cuts at all levels. Once the Tax Deal was passed/signed, things have started moving again but having a political party using extortionist-like tactics to muscle through their agenda items isn't something that shouldn't be allowed to happen in our government IMHO and I'm concerned that more people (beside us) aren't concerned about this behavior. I am cognizant, however, that, as long as our corporate media is an arm of or perpetually afraid of accusations of being "liberal" by the teabagger/fundie wing of the Republican Party, our side is never going to get an entirely "fair shake" in terms of being able to make our case for more progressive (or less reactionary) policies.
IMHO we need to become active 24-7-365 at the local and state level in supporting more progressive candidates and policies, as well as educating people about what we really stand for instead of the caricatures (un)helpfully provided by the right-wing on a continuous loop. It's also critical that we hold corporate media outlets accountable and make sure they are reporting the FACTS and not "slant", well as building an alternative media infrastructure to compete with the Fox News-led right-wing propaganda machine.

[Still a Democrat]

9. "we need to become active 24-7-365 at the local and state level in supporting more progressive..."

I think we'll all agree there.

[begin_within]

7. "Republicans" and "cooperative" in the same sentence?

Are you trying to crash the software?

[Still a Democrat]

8. I did get an automated warning

:rofl:

[notadmblnd]

10. No, just since the deal was made for tax cuts for the rich

I'm beginning to think DADT and some of these other bills are suddenly moving along because of that deal.

[Still a Democrat]

11. They had an agreement beyond the tax package

that included things like DADT?

[notadmblnd]

13. I think so

but hey, I'm no one whose opinion counts.

[Motown_Johnny]

12. they just want it to be over so they can go home for Christmas

They don't care about doing the right thing for the country