Is there anyone on here who actually thinks the Republicans will work with Obama

[jlake]

and he will be this great unifier that he presents himself as?
Of are you just hoping he is popular enough to win the election in a squeaker?

[Maddy McCall]

1. The only way Republicans will work with him is if he proves himself centrist...

you know, kinda like Bill Clinton did...the same Bill Clinton who's despised on DU right now for being a......centrist.

[Perry Logan]

59. Bill Clinton's presidency proved that wingers hate centrists at least as much as they hate liberals.

[susankh4]

62. Not to worry..... He'll work with them!

In fact, he is already caving to bush:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/4/1/135422/4038

[Voice for Peace]

85. THis is an example of why I think it's very possible

"Mr. Obama made his name in the Illinois Legislature by championing
historic civil liberties reforms, like the mandatory recording of all
interrogations and confessions in capital cases. Although prosecutors,
the police, the Democratic governor and even some death penalty
advocates were initially opposed to the bill, Mr. Obama won them over.
The reform passed unanimously, and it has been adopted by four other
states and the District of Columbia."

excerpted from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/01/opinion/01rosen.html

"A Card-Carrying Civil Libertarian"

[roguevalley]

98. what makes anyone think there will be enough repugs left to care about?

[Johnny__Motown]

2. So you complain that republicans vote for him, and you claim that their party members won't work

with him.


Well if the repugs want the votes of the people who crossed over for Obama they will work with him.

[jlake]

12. I doubt that Obama will get many Republican votes in the GE.

[Johnny__Motown]

21. I kinda think he will. Many people are disgusted with the Repugs right now, not just us

[ElsewheresDaughter]

93. and those "disgusted repugs" will NOT vote for a Dem in the GE in Nov. .....they WILL STAY HOME

[Hepburn]

108. My Pubbie friends, the few of them I have.....

...HATE Hillary, HATE Bush, dislike McCain....and have said that most likely in November if Obama is the nominee, they will vote Dem.....and vote Dem on down the line for most offices. I am in Calif...and the Pubbies here not only HATE Bush, they have no love lost on our Gubinator Ah-nold. So....there is a HUGE souring here for the Pubbies in Calif ~~ home of some of the worst Pubbie pols in the nation, witness Puke Cunningham, Jerry Lewis, etc.

So, yeah, the Pubbies are ready for a change just like the rest of us are. Hillary is NO change....nor is McCain. But...Obama is.

JMHO

[babylonsister]

3. Read this from 06-I do:

http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2006/10/barack_obama.html

[FrenchieCat]

16. Thanks!

Good piece! :hi:

[babylonsister]

18. This is my convincing argument to myself.

A wonker who had so much respect, w/o having a care about who might read it? Sold me.

[Hepburn]

109. It's your BD????

Well, have a great one and hopefully you will get a HUGE present at the polls on Tuesday!

Regards from me and the pooch! :party:

[cliffordu]

19. Excellent piece, Thanks!!!!

:hi:

[babylonsister]

27. Yes, it's very excellent! And welcome to DU, cliffordu!

I checked your profile, and you signed up on my birthday this year, the NY Giants won the Super Bowl, so I expect great things from you! :hi:

[cliffordu]

42. Thanks, Babylonsister! I'll try to live up to your expectations, and....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

And, as a veteran, THANK YOU for your sig.

[Hepburn]

110. Hi, Clifford and welcome!

:hi: Nice to meet you!

[flpoljunkie]

68. Obama is seeking a working majority for change realizing change will not come if we do not demand it

from Congress. Congress has shown they respond when the people speak out and demand change.

With Obama at the head of the ticket, I would also expect that we would expand our numbers in Congress and will not require huge numbers of Republicans to cross over to accomplish long overdue changes.

[gravity]

4. They will if their voters want to

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. Is anybody looking that far down the road?

[SoonerPride]

6. The coming tidal wave

The Democrats will own filibuster proof majorities and dominate both houses of Congress thanks to Obama induced tidal wave and outpouring of formerly disaffected and apathetic voters.

We take our country back in November.

Screw the Republicans.
We don't need them to work with us.
The days of holding our hats in our hand and sidling up to them is over.

[jaybeat]

29. So why is Obama bending over backwards to be "bipartisan"?? (nt)

[jlake]

39. Exactly. It just doesn't compute.

He is not gaining allies to the liberal cause, he is moving to the right.

[jaybeat]

47. Thank you! "Reach out" only to put a pair of handcuffs on 'em!

All this "reaching out" crap is fine if you're in a weak position, but when have the Republicans EVER "reached out"?

If you're looking at the opportunity to put these conservative idiots back a few decades based on how much they have DESTROYED the BEST things about our country (FDR legacy, etc.), certainly in the last 8 years but especially in 28 of the last 40 years, then you don't NEED to talk about "reaching out." You would only do it if you thought it was the "right thing to do" on some level.

Personally, I don't think "reaching out" to war criminals and those who support raping the many for the benefit of the few should be "reached out" to.

I think they should be arrested, tried, convicted and IMPRISONED!

[Omega3]

82. the only reason you hear the repukes talk about bipartisianship now is b/c it looks like they'll be

out of power, where the fuck was the bipartisianship the last 7 years?

and now we have someone who keeps ushering that word, talking about "reaching across the aisle", "bringing all sides to the table" etc.

just makes me want to puke. The Dems are becoming Repuke lite.

[OnionPatch]

74. Because there are a lot of somewhat moderate people

who have been voting GOP that are starting to see the error of their ways. Obama has a way of winning them over without making them feel humiliated. I haven't noticed that he's been "bending over backwards" to please anyone. He seems to be able to stay true to Democratic values and bring people over at the same time.

Edited for spelling.

[jaybeat]

105. Republican politicians are not people.

When he's talking about voters, I don't hear him talking about "the error of their ways"--that's actually something Hillary said in one of the debates! I hear vague generalities that make me worry he's not enough of a fighter. I worry that the only way he's been able to "bring people over" is that he is so non-specific that Republican voters don't really know what he stands for--or maybe he doesn't "stand" for very much.

The corporate/Republican power structure is not going to hand over the keys to the Treasury willingly. Reaching out to them will only get you one thing--amputation!

[ContinentalOp]

73. Yep, that's what I'm hoping for too.

[zabet]

7. Sure they will....

:rofl:

[wileedog]

8. We sure as shit know

They ain't working with Hillary.

Seriously, spend 10 minutes on FR. She is despised to the point of insanity over there.

[jlake]

20. Freepers are the FAR right fringe.....hopefully anyway.

[Arkansas Granny]

58. Two months ago John McCain was despised over there. I don't

think the freepers would be willing to work with any Democrat.

[chimpymustgo]

94. Kind of like here?

[scheming daemons]

9. I'm the only Democrat in my family....

My dad... who has been a staunch "Rush Limbaugh" conservative told me he's ready to get rid of ANY politician that has been in Washington more than 5 years.

He shocked the hell out of me when he told me he was sincerely pulling for Obama and would vote for him in the fall.

He loathes McCain and Hillary both.


To a person, all the Repugs in my family are seriously considering Obama. I think, frankly, there are a lot of white people who want to show the rest of the country that they are willing to vote for a black man. I think there's a real psychological phenomenon there. Call it "white guilt" or whatever... but it is real.

[saltpoint]

10. If he wins, they won't have any choice.

The President can set the table for the 111th Congress in a very influential bully-pulpit way if he or she wants to.

I think the next president is likely to be a Democrat and more likely Obama than Clinton, but in either case, the Republicans are unlikely to win back majorities in the House and they face difficult odds in the Senate.

[WinkyDink]

56. Yep. Worked for Bill Clinton. NOT.

[saltpoint]

57. We lost a lot of seats under Clinton in both chambers.

The rise of Gingrich and the "Contract With America."

If it "didn't work for Clinton" maybe it was Clinton's fault.

That health care initiative sure went great guns, too.

[MagickMuffin]

11. If we WIN more seats in Congress it won't matter that much

That's why it is so important to vote this November.

There are 29 rethuglicons not running for reelection this election cycle.

We could easily pick up those seats.

Edit to add last two sentences.

[SoonerPride]

14. Even more reason to load as many on the Obama bandwagon

........as possible.

Lock up super majorities in both houses and take the country back in one fell swoop.

Yes, we can.

[Recursion]

13. Yes, just like a lot of Democrats worked with Reagan

Only this time they will be using their powers for awesome... (strongbad reference)

[earthlover]

15. Obama can inspire huge majorities in Congress....Hillary probably wouldn't win....

If miraculously Hillary beat McCain, it would be by the skin of her teeth, with no coat-tails, and Congress would have no significant gains.

It's about the Congress, stupid! Obama brings a Democratic surge in Congress, Hillary not so much.

[mtnsnake]

17. Republicans work with Obama? HAHAHAHA!!!

Yeah, they can't wait. I'll bet right now Karl Rove and the boys are all registering as Democrats just because they're so enamored with Obama's speeches. lol

[jlake]

22. I agree... but many think they'll fall under his spell.

[theboss]

23. I'm not sure he will need them but yes

I have two vague predictions regarding the '08 election:

1. Democrats are going to increase their majorities in the House and Senate, and
2. Republicans are probably going to take a pretty big step back from the attack mode of the last twelve or so years.

It's not in McCain's nature to make a campaign brutally personal. I think he does have some honor and dignity. And I think that combined with a general sense of Bush Fatigue will at least give us a little more civility in Washington over the next few years.

Politics wasn't always this bloody in the US. This is a relatively new phenomenon.

[NastyRiffraff]

24. They'll work "with" him...

..if he gives them what they want. Republicans, like anyone else, expect something for their vote. Does anybody really think that all, or most, of these crossovers have suddenly adopted Democratic values? Please.

The main thing that worries me about Obama is his emphasis on "reaching out." I think he means that. But Republicans as a group aren't going to let go of power easily. They'll expect that his "reaching out" means "giving in." And I honestly don't think Obama is ready for that fight.

But, we'll see. If he wins the nomination and the presidency, I hope I'm wrong. He's going to need a VERY strong Democratic Congress. And a VP who is willing to pull him back from the so-called compromises when necessary.

[theboss]

25. You do realize that this zero sum approach to politics is reasonably new

The Reagan Revolution occurred with the help of Tip O'Neil. Carter's biggest fights were with Dems not Republicans. It's really only since about '90 or '92 that the process has become so filthy. I think we can step back a bit.

I honestly am excited about the prospect of a McCain-Obama race.

[emilyg]

26. No.

[Double T]

28. obama supporters REALLY do need a reality check...........

rethugs DO NOT vote for Liberal Democrats even if THEY are being water boarded.

[FrenchieCat]

31. They said the same thing about the Democrats who voted for the

father of the Conservative movement, Ronald Reagan! :eyes:

[Double T]

36. Yep. And MOST of US know what a HUGE mistake that was........

and still feel the pain this many decades later. Fool me once, shame on me.

[babylonsister]

33. What if? ...

The Senate gains more votes, the House also does, and we have a Dem president? Who is finally out of power? :think: There are many rethugs bailing this year, we just don't hear about them.

[Double T]

41. The Democratically controlled "do nothing" Congress is in trouble.......

with consistently LOW polling numbers to prove it. No Democratic Congressional cake walk HERE!

[babylonsister]

45. I'm learning not to mourn the past and look towards the future.

Sort of. Remember, I'm an optimist and always have been.

So, if we have 56 Senate seats instead of 50 (lieberman/repug, Johnson/sick for awhile), we might make some stuff happen.

[Double T]

46. WE can HOPE!

Damn, there's THAT word again.

[babylonsister]

53. Beats the hell out of despair, discouragement, pessimism. nt

[theboss]

37. Carter won every southern state in '76

I feel like half the posters here think that 1996, 2000, and 2004 are representative of all of American political history.

The story tends to re-write itself every generation or so.

New York was once a Republican bastion. California produced Nixon AND Reagan.

What was is not necessarily what is to be in politics. If you think we are going to be a 50-50 nation for the next twenty years you are wrong. It is going to break at some point.

[Double T]

40. Carter was a REALLY BAD President, sure don't need a repeat performance of that Democratic disaster.

BOTH bushes destroyed the US economy during their reign of terror. rethugs are NOT looking at an ACTUAL bush this time around. Given the choice between a Liberal Democrat and ANY rethug, rethugs will go with the rethug... again.

[theboss]

43. Or stay home. We are talking about McCain as the alternative

McCain is not exactly the Prom King with the religious right at the moment.

Conservatives may view McCain as Democrats viewed McGovern in '72. Tis better to lose the presidency than to lose the party.

[Double T]

49. I'm sure the Jesus promoters will motivate the RW neocon conservatives..........

to get up off their knees long enough to go vote for the endorsed RW 'chosen one'.

[theboss]

52. Not Dobson...not Rush...not Sean...not Coulter...not National Review

Well, maybe National Review but no one listens to them any longer.

Republicans are not complete automotans. They are not going to here Dobson call McCain everything but a white man for a year and then be moved to flock to him if Dobson switches.

[loyalsister]

71. It's a brave new world

Sorry to ct in here, but I was struck by this:

I feel like half the posters here think that 1996, 2000, and 2004 are representative of all of American political history.

The story tends to re-write itself every generation or so.

I agree. People continually ignore what Obama has understood as basic. We all have more in common than we usually remember. The war affects everyone. Everyone in this country knows either knows someone personally who has been there, or at least has a degree of separation that makes it important. I don't know a single person who doesn't know at least one veteran.
We are all paying for it.

Even if we aren't one of the uninsured or underinsured, we are all paying for the healthcare that people don't have.

A less educated country is a problem for all of us, and on and on...

Listen to his speeches where he illustrates the "brothers keeper" thesis. He understands how these are common problems and our lives are all basically similar.

This was Howard Dean's idea which was expressed in a way that offended a lot of people. WOW! Irony.
As congress understands that, it makes it easier for the parties to get along.

I have personally had conversations with Repblican state legislators who know it is a better way to work. Once the voters express what they want and the lobbyists have less control they will be more inclined to support what the people want.

It has been happening in some red states.

[Voice for Peace]

96. This is just plain wrong. I personally know Republicans who will be voting for Obama if he's the

nominee.

[Hepburn]

113. You are wrong.

Unless you think all of us who have Pubbie friends and family are lying about what is being said to us. Sooooo....is that your position as to your fellow DUers? That we are not telling the truth about the Pubbies we know who are considering sincerely voting for Obama this coming November if he is the Dem nominee?

I sure as hell can tell you that they will NOT vote for Hillary. The ones I know hate her guts...and are not shy about expressing this hate for her. They will vote for McCain...grudginly...if the Dems are stupid enough to nominate a loser like Hillary.

The BEST chance we have to get the WH out of the hands of the Pubbies is to make sure that Obama is the nominee. With Hillary??? Say "hello" to Prez McLame....:puke:

[meow mix]

30. Speak softly, but carry a big stick..

theyll play.

[Generic Brad]

32. Are you implying that they will work with Hillary Clinton instead?

They won't work with anyone who is not a Republican. We expect that.

[jlake]

34. I am not implying that - I know they won't work with Hillary

But Obama thinks they are dying to work with him.

[theboss]

50. So what's the alternative

A 50+1 strategy into eternity? Do you think this is a healthy political climate?

[DearAbby]

35. If Obama has large coat tails and brings in a large majority of Democrats

into congress with him,...the very small number of GOPers who had survived the bloodbath called the general elections, will be screaming for Bipartisan cooperation.

A gal can dream..and that's my story and I'm stickin to it.

[backscatter712]

38. The surviving Republicans are likely to be a little more Republican...

especially after we've taken a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate and pwned even traditionally red districts all over the country.

There is a distinct difference between the sociopathic douchebags that have taken over the Republican Party and infested the Beltway, and the normal people who have called themselves Republicans, who are fleeing the party in droves right now.

The douchebags who somehow manage to not get thrown out on their asses this November are going to have to learn to play ball with us if they want any sort of accommodation from the new Democratic majority and the Obama administration.

[Gore1FL]

44. They'll have to on some things

On others I suspect it won't matter as the Dems will pick up a lot of seats in congress.

[jlake]

48. But you're going with the theory that Obama will win by a wide margin and have

long coattails. I don't think that is realistic.

[Gore1FL]

51. I don't believe in coat tails anymore

But I do believe that there is geeral disgust with republicans.

Clinton or Obama will have more congressional Dems that there are today.

[Forkboy]

54. McCain in '08!!!!!

[WinkyDink]

55. No. Try to steamroll, yes.

[Perky]

60. Talk about having your head in the sand

Look Hillary is far more likely to win in a sqeaker than Obama. Even if she wins the election the dies is already cast for four years of vitriol and no hineymoon whatsoever.


I think it is a far more reasonable assertion that given McCain's declaration that he want's to elevate the campaign and the fact that he willnot be able to keep up with Obama on Fundrasing that this camapign will not be terribly embittering. It may well prove to be as lopsided as 1932. Long Coattails and a big mandate will put the GOP back on their heels for a year.

Fropm a governing stanfpointObama willbe able to work well with a brader coalition that includes large numbers of Republicans who are moderate on some issues.

[dcindian]

61. You can't make this arguement since

It would be at a minimum just as unlikely they would work with Hillary.

[mmonk]

63. More than Clinton.

[Warren Stupidity]

64. I am hoping the question is irrelevant.,

And, by the way, you could ask the same question about Clinton and get the same answer. Hopefully the republicans will not only lose the white house, they will lose a lot more seats in congress as well. Enough seats to render the question of bipartisanship more or less irrelevant.

Now back to your question: no of course not, the republican leadership will do everything they can do to sabotage any democratic administration. The bipartisan era ended in 1974 with the resignation of Rchard Nixon. For a variety of reasons the Democratic leadership insists on maintaining the fiction of bipartisanship, despite having been swindled back stabbed tricked blind-sided defrauded kicked in the nuts and humiliated on numerous occasions by the folks they are 'bipartisaning' with. Not only will the republican leadership go into open warfare mode, but they of course have a very disciplined rank and file in the congress, again unlike our side, so there will be very little chipping away at them. Of course we could always have the sort of bipartisanship of the Clinton era where the various remnants of the social democratic reforms of the new deal are chipped away at by free market fundamentalists on both sides of the aisle.

[sendero]

65. Who gives a rat's ass..

.. we don't need the Republicans, in fact we should shun them from the process exactly as they have shunned us.

I can't wait until Tues night when your posts will become pointless.

[carlotta]

66. Are you kidding?

The Republicans can't afford to work with Obama. If he is successful in passing legislation to move the country forward, then they know they'll have another 4 years of a Democrat in the White House. They MUST make him fail so that they can make a good case in 2012.

[cloudythescribbler]

67. "The Republicans" is a broad brush -- what about a handful of Senators and some mass base? nt

[Buzz Clik]

69. Is there anyone here who, in December 2006, thought Congress would give Bush everything?

The power is in the White House. If we stay on top of our game, get rid of all the Bush-loving Democrats in Congress, and keep the Dem majority, it's irrelevant.

This question is relevant only if the GOP takes Congress.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

70. Hey, By The Way,

Just wanted to let you know that I laughed my ass off at your edit in your locked thread. I just saw it now!!!

Holy cow, talk about reactionary lol. Prior to that I had responded to you like what, ONCE in the last month? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Just had to defend myself a bit since I didn't get the chance. You made me laugh my ass off at your sensitivity. I mean, you really felt the need to do that? You really were that melodramatic to declare I was stalking you, though I've engaged with you maybe once in the past month? Holy cow was that funny!

[CRH]

72. Not me, and much of his independent support will defect in the general, ...

I think to some degree the democratic primaries are being gamed. How much, the future will tell.

[stillcool]

75. just some of these...

and maybe this little guy
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., plays with Eric Hansen, 11 months, during a visit to Nicky's Cruisin' Diner Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, in Bangor, Me. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

[jlake]

77. Those are Republicans?

[stillcool]

83. I call them people...

but rumor has it that these are republicans, turning out in record numbers to vote for Obama in the Democratic primary so they will win the general election. I don't get the logic either, but surely you've heard, and posted about this on a regular basis.

[Mezzo]

76. Yep, they do. They also think that Obama was against the war from the start...

and it's not true at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN30M6StFfk

But the Republicans will have their candidate.

[jlake]

78. Exactly.

[CyberPieHole]

79. No. n/t

[Enrique]

80. they'll try to find a way to impeach him

there's probably some "elves" working on it as we speak.

[jlake]

92. I think that will be the fate of any Democrat - but Obama doesn't see it coming.

[Bluerthanblue]

81. the republicans will have a difficult time coming up against his rational and

concilliatory way of phrasing things.

The public is sick of the hate.

Unfortunately for Hillary, her experience is in large part, that of a divider- and even if she actually desired to 'unite' the country, her 35yrs. works against her.

peace~

[The Backlash Cometh]

84. There will be a honey moon.

Then they will try to win him over with praise, and when that doesn't work, they will denounce him as a Demcrat.

[Exilednight]

86. Hillary says she will work with repugs, I fail to see the logic in your arguement.

[jlake]

89. She says she will try - she does not say that everything will be A-OK and everyone

will get along.... and she doesn't use religious imagery to make her claims.

[Exilednight]

95. Show me where Obama says everything will be A-OK and everyone will get along - he says he can

reach out across the aisle and work with them, but people are smarter than you give them credit for. We know that repugs will not go along with everything and will have to be dragged kicking and screaming, and in some cases we will even lose a few fights - but that's politics.

The questions is - who do you believe to have a better chance of working with repugs? Clinton is just asking for a fight, at least with Obama we have a fighting chance.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

87. Is there anyone left on this site that still takes you seriously?

I mean, other than the Obama haters...

What purpose are you trying to achieve through this OP?

[jlake]

88. I am asking if Obama supporters believe the hype that he will win in a landslide and

transform the politics of America - or whether they just like him and think he can win (by whatever margin)

[HCE SuiGeneris]

97. Honestly, the two party system is counter-productive towards

adoption of a truly progressive agenda. Of all the candidates, Kucinich reflects the type of aggressive reform I would advocate. Whatever positive change that is going to occur, has to come through a Democrat, and Obama can better spearhead that with his much greater support.

[Vinca]

90. Well, that's it. I'm now voting for Hillary. The Republicans will want to work with her.

No doubt. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[jlake]

91. That has nothing to do with the question posed.

[sueragingroz]

99. His presidency would make the Clinton presidency look like a walk in the park

[Jamastiene]

100. No, St. Obama and his gullible supporters are

being played like a cheap violin. The "We told you so" will be when they come crawling back in here trying to apologize for being so stupid as to fall for it. It won't make matters better either. :nopity: The blood will be on their hands, not ours.

[avrdream]

101. Have they actually worked with him much in the Senate?

Oh wait, I forgot, he doesn't attend his own meetings so why should they?

[gravity]

102. Yes

[citizen snips]

103. Republicans will not work with any Democrats.

I am certain this was decided a long time ago.

[jmg257]

104. We'll just have to wait and see - it won' be long...ahhh..change'll do ya good!.

[mattclearing]

106. I actually know Republicans that can't wait to vote for him.

They hate McCain and see Obama as being respectful of their beliefs. Sometimes that's all it takes to get a vote.

[Recursion]

107. You mean the way Lugar and Coburn already have? n/t

[Avalux]

111. Any "working together" will involve the American people.

The only way Republicans will consider progressive policies will be if they are getting pressure from their electorate at home. Re-election is the most important thing in the life of a politician.

With that in mind, Obama is the only candidate who has the ability to keep Americans engaged and open up policy deliberations and decisions for our consumption - transparency. He will work WITH the American people to build leverage and that's exactly how it should be. There will never change from the status quo unless the American people make it happen.

[jlake]

115. LOL politicians are always listening to the American people.

[Avalux]

117. Your pessism is exactly why you're voting for Hillary.

You don't believe things can get better.

[jlake]

118. You be positive, I'll be realistic.

Don't forget that Obama is just another politician - or you'll be sorely disappointed.

[conservdem]

112. I think he will be able to get a fair amount of them to work with him.

I think he will be better at working with them HC would be.

[jlpohio69]

114. Frankly, I think the repugs are working him like a tool

They want him to get the nomination so they can try to pound him in the general election. Granted, there may be some repugs who really are supprting him, but my gut tells me this is another repug plan of attack.

[izzybeans]

116. They'll work with Clinton? How about unifying the party and sweeping the congressional

races? We need that more than anything regardless of who our nominee is.