glenn1
Lifer
- Sep 6, 2000
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"Work with" is an ambiguous term. He'll likely feel forced into signing at least a couple bills he would have otherwise opposed, which will give him some political space to push back against bills he vehemently hates. I think Clinton signing welfare reform in the mid 90s is a good model.
After those couple initial sops to the GOP, I think any further cooperation will depend on how hardcore Congress wants to be in the future bills they pass. If they go with a "we get 99% of what we want and Obama gets 1% he wants" probably not much will get signed. It remains to see how much north of 50% that the GOP could go and still have Obama play ball. For things he cares about like immigration reform I could honestly see him agreeing to a lot more things than he would otherwise just to get something done.
After those couple initial sops to the GOP, I think any further cooperation will depend on how hardcore Congress wants to be in the future bills they pass. If they go with a "we get 99% of what we want and Obama gets 1% he wants" probably not much will get signed. It remains to see how much north of 50% that the GOP could go and still have Obama play ball. For things he cares about like immigration reform I could honestly see him agreeing to a lot more things than he would otherwise just to get something done.
