Congressional Leaders are weak and resent each other.

[dkf]

Jim Vandehei made some interesting points...

1) the rank and file of both parties have never been stronger and leaders weaker.
2) congressional leaders despise their counterparts. They don't speak, don't negotiate and show disdain for each other.
3) freshmen republicans got into office solely due to being against Obamacare and government. Their constituents don't like government health care or government for that matter and have no problem with a government shutdown.
4) special interest groups have figured out how to elect uncompromising candidates and true believers.

His take away...dysfunction is only going to get worse.

In retrospect I wonder if this is a result of getting rid of earmarks which were doled out as favors.

[el_bryanto]

1. There are some elements of truth to that

But if that were the case where are the strong partisan rank and file Democrats? Where are the uncompromising liberals who are pushing the party further and further to the left?

It seems like this is more a problem on one side of the fence than the other.

Bryant

[dkf]

2. Syria, NSA...the left is starting to re-emerge also.

Even the chained CPI.

Maybe the TPP? I would add the XL pipeline to that list.

[el_bryanto]

3. Nonsense and wishful thinking

And even if they are, I don't see them trying the same dishonest underhanded tactics that our friends on the Right are using. Do you really think there are any elected Democrats that are willing to push their issues to the brink the way our friends on the right are?

Bryant

[dkf]

5. That's not the point.

The question is where does the power lie. Can leaders compel their members or is it the opposite way around.

[el_bryanto]

6. Well I am not sure that Reid and Pelosi are as far out of line with their party either

I don't think that Reid is standing up to House Republicans because he's being pushed by the liberal wing of his party; I think he's standing up to them because he knows that giving in to economic terrorists is likely to make things worse in the long run.

Bryant

[tularetom]

4. Koch bros. et al created this situation and it will bite them in the ass

They have orchestrated the election of a bunch of illiterates who can't be controlled, even by them, and who have no problem voting against their own financial interests to achieve some very dubious social goals.

Eventually the big money boys will wake up and realize that government by rabid incompetents is not in their best interest and pull the campaign contribution plug on the nutcases.

The Kochoids can hold out until this happens. Whether or not the rest of us can is the question.