General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Biting political analysis of the McCain funeral from Jeet Heer: [View all]I agree that Obama had a passion for compromise, getting along and bipartisanship. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it was a somewhat naïve effort on Obama's part to bring the two sides together that resulted in the watered down health care bill that satisfied very few (and disappointed or angered many), regardless of political bent, and splintered the Democratic Party into several smaller groups within the Party who are often at each other's throats.
Simply stated, Obama missed an opportunity. When McConnell declared that his number one priority was to make Obama a one term president, instead of trying to get along Obama should have taken off the gloves and twisted the arms of resistant Blue Dogs (and others) and shoved single payer down their throats.
If nothing else, a core sector of the population would have been very happy and could have formed a nucleus to build upon to herald in a New Democratic Party with a spine.
Parenthetically I agree that Bush and Cheney et al should have been prosecuted for war crimes and the banksters prosecuted for their transgressions.
A final note -- I agree with recent polls showing Obama to be the best President of our lifetimes. But not because of any agenda he implemented or furthered, because he carried himself with dignity and grace and respect for the Office which he held. There wasn't a single scandal involving his administration during the entire eight years he was in office.