Yes, liberals should not short-change their principals. On the contrary, there is political reality and we should not expect our candidates to commit seppuku, either. There is a fine line here to be considered.

I was always afraid that Obama would compromise too much and thus far, he has perhaps given too much away. When I saw what had been taken out of the stimulus or steeply cut back, I wondered if anything was left. Subsequent news accounts of what has been included are a good start only. Obama has gone out of his way for bi-partisan support...and the public knows it...this aspect is a public relations victory. Unfortunately, Judd Gregg pulled his stunt to blunt the effect bringing up questions about the Administration's vetting process. It is clear the Republicans are going to work against him in everything he tries to do...they could care less about the country...all they want is their power back.

I have come out of this early struggle with some perceptions which show that the country likes Obama and that he can lead, but he is going to have to wage a political campaign over and over again to get anything done. The Republicans want to do him in at any cost...that is clear!!!

It is obvious that the Republicans, en masse, are going to oppose everything Obama tries to achieve. They want him to fail so that they can get back in power...Rush Limbaugh made that clear.

While I didn't approve of the nomination of Gregg, I felt Obama must have had some very good reason for selecting him. It was obviously a bad choice in hindsight; however, Obama did come away looking bi-partisan and the Republicans appear to be uncompromising. Polls indicate this. To say that Obama was humiliated is a tad too strong. In truth, Gregg appears brow-beaten by his party, a coward, and a twit, even a liar because he campaigned for the nomination and then incomprehensively and erratically backed out. The White is engaged in a propaganda war and thus far, Obama is the winner. Americans want their president to work with the Republicans, not fight with them. I believe this even though I want him to fight aggressively. At any rate, if the White House comes out taking punches at the opposition, it will alienate many Americans. I certainly hope that Obama will not give things away if he doesn't achieve any Republican support and he may have given in too much. On the other hand, the three Republican senators who voted for the stimulus may have in essence, saved the package if some Democratic senators were balking, too. At least, the media reported that some conservative Democrats didn't like the bill. Who knows.

Bi-partisanship is a dangerous game. If not played correctly, it can unhinge a president...make him look foolish and weak. On the contrary, pugnacious partisanship turns off people, too. Obama is a clever man and I hope he doesn't pursue Republican support at the expense of his dreams.

Obama's poll numbers are a relief! With all the Republican bombast, the stock market plunge, and all the rest, I was very afraid that his popularity was on the slide. It is gratifying to know that Americans in the main want the stimulus and have confidence in this president. The Republicans are going to try to ruin everything he proposes and I hope he does not give away too much in a vain effort for their support. Nothing he does is going to get their cooperation...nothing!

Gary Kamiya's excellent synopsis of the current economic situation stands on its own. He points out the inconsistencies, the insanity, and the meanness of the right wing in stunning clarity. I fervently hope that the American people will eschew the right's greedy philosophy. Thus far, the polls are indicating that the conservatives are having little impact with their temper tantrum!

Meanness, ignorance, big-mouth blather, and prevarication prevalent in the Republican Party are epitomized in Rush Limbaugh. It is shameful how the conservative rubes are dazzled by this snake-oil salesman. Bush ran his White House by consulting Rush. No matter what they say to the contrary, the Republicans are in love with him.

Steele would be smart not to respond. Otherwise, Rush will just keep it up with more abuse. As for the radio talker, the Republicans adore him, hanging on to his every word. If a person likes Rush, it is reasonable to assume that he/she agrees with him. This does not speak well for Republicans who have devoutly earned their place at the bottom with wild goose chases in Iraq, fiscal irresponsibility through deregulation, and unholy pandering to Rush and his crowd, to mention only a few unsavory actions!

Well said, Joan. Rasmussen today touts a poll that says despite efforts by officials in the Obama Administration to make it appear Limbaugh is the leader of the GOP, only eleven percent of Republicans view Rush Limbaugh as their leader and eighty one percent don't, as if this poll really means anything. It is so easy to quibble over the semantics of the word, leader. DeLay demonstrates his hollow values by calling him a role model...the Republicans have no shame!