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I know you are very intelligent, otherwise you wouldn't be posting on DU. ;-)
However, you still might not be aware that Democrats are saying many things strictly for political purposes, as tactical manuevers. It's like the "impeachment is off the table" move. Is impeachment really off the table? Yes, it probably is. Does that mean that impeachment will remain off the table? Absolutely not. However, the reason it's off the table is not because of any Democratic Party attempt to move to the right, or to in any way support the current Executive. It's because the people perceive impeachment as a very serious matter for which there needs to be a deliberative process. Others have called it an "organic" process. The Congressional Dems know that impeachment must come from the people, not the Congress.
The same thing here with Democrats saying that they want to work with Republicans in a bipartisan manner. We've just had twelve years of one-party rule in Congress, when the Democrats have been totally locked out of the proceedings. Much of the reason why the Democrats have again gained control may very well be that the public has become aware of the Repuke rubbish. So, the Democrats are saying that they will work in a bipartisan way precisely because that's what the electorate has told them.
However, again that's not necessarily what will happen. If the Repukes stay in their current mode, by obstructing and doing shady deals, it will not be perceived as the Democrat's problem. In fact, we are already seeing that the Repukes are not going to change. A couple of weeks ago the Senate was shut down by Senators Dorgan and Conrad when the Repukes refused to honor agreements with Democrats on an emergency drought relief amendment. If this is an example of what the Democrats mean by being bipartisan, I like what I'm seeing.
It works like this. We'll work with the Repukes, but if they try any bullshit, we're going to stand our ground. Bipartisanship is a two-way street. If the Repukes play their games, *they* will be perceived as the problem and not the Dems. That's why the Dems' strategy is so damned good.
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