Partisanship still rules

Partisanship still rules

Dallas Morning News: Was it really just a year ago that Barack Obama’s historic election led some to make hopeful predictions of an era of political post-partisanship?

Twelve months later, the president’s approval ratings are down from the record levels that greeted his victory. Right-wing talk radio remains hostile and distrustful of all things inside the Beltway — most specifically Obama, whose policies have been derided as “socialism” or worse. From the left, pundit Arianna Huffington now says the audacity of hope has given way to the timidity of governing.

Dissatisfaction is seeping out from many spots along the political spectrum — in particular from those on the left who held unrealistic post-election expectations and those on the right involved in the populist Tea Party movement, which has made it politically dangerous for Republicans to be seen as moderates.

On Capitol Hill, the Democrats are often divided, preventing the quick victories for the majority party that many expected. For instance, the health care debate has seen moderate Democrats — and to some extent the president himself — push back against the party’s liberal wing.

Battle for control

Republicans also are in the midst of a battle for control of the GOP agenda as evidenced by the Tea Party’s influence. These supporters are anti-Obama, anti-taxes and pro-small government, and they are not always supportive of mainstream Republicans. This dynamic could play a large role in shaping midterm year primary races in 2010.

For both parties, the risks are similar that political fringes will push legislative agendas most Americans are unwilling to accept.

Obama inherited an unprecedented mess headlined by the near-collapse of the world’s financial system and unpopular wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One year removed from the 2008 election, the direction of the still fragile economy and finding the best strategies for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are squarely his responsibility. Likewise, Republicans need to spend more time finding specific solutions for these pressing challenges, not just opposing the White House’s ideas.

History shows that most Americans are centrists who want inspired leadership, compromise and solutions — and who are willing to jettison party labels in exchange for results.

This isn’t a complicated lesson, but one year after his election, it’s not clear that either party has taken the lesson to heart.