Talk of bipartisanship is all the rage in hyper-partisan Washington, and President Obama is leading the charge. In a surprise appearance at a White House briefing, Obama called for Republicans and Democrats to transcend "petty politics" to get things done. But critics said the friendly talk included no hint of actual compromise. Is Obama reaching out, or just using the popular idea of bipartisanship to revive his stalled agenda? (Watch an AP report about Obama's bipartisanship efforts)
'Bipartisanship' never means compromise: Obama's calling for bipartisanship, but he really means "do it my way," says Mark Knoller at CBS News. Like all presidents having trouble getting their legislation through Congress — Reagan, Clinton, Bush I — Obama's offering to listen to the opposition and use their best ideas. But what they all really wanted was "surrender" by the other party.
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