The New York Times thinks partisan bickering began when Democrats took control of Congress in 2006.
“For the past two years, majority Democrats often denied Republicans the chance to alter legislation on the floor, mainly so they could not force politically charged votes or scuttle important legislation.
Now, heeding Mr. Obama’s call for cooperation, Senator Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat and majority leader, is tentatively testing the notion of letting Republicans offer amendments to legislation and having the parties engage in a battle of ideas on the floor. The fact that Democrats now have a majority of 58 seats rather than the 51 seats they previously held makes the concession far less painful.”
Weird. Do they not remember now-indicted House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-TX22) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and the myriad ways they prevented the minority from amending or introducing legislation on the floor of Congress? The “nuclear option” that was named by Sen. Lott (R-MS) and which option was used as a club by Sen. Frist? Rep. Delay’s misuse of the FAA to track down and attempt to arrest the Democratic representatives on a private plane? Rep. Delay’s K Street Project to force Washington lobbyists to only hire Republicans?
To the traditional media, as well as those inside the Beltway in general (including, I’m afraid, our new President Obama), “bipartisanship” means marginalizing and silencing the left. It’s Democrats giving Republicans what they want.