One very good argument for bi-partisanship.

[kentuck]

Both Parties have never been this far apart. But, when they really and truly need "bi-partisanship", they are somehow unable to muster it.

The country is at a crossroads and the two Parties need to stand side by side and make the necessary decisions for the good of this country and for the national security of this country, rather than fight over old battles.

Both sides know what they need to do. They need to put their country over politics.

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Mitch McConnell,Orin Hatch Ted Cruz Mike Lee,Cornyn and others

have so poisoned the well that a Meeting of the Minds will never happen. Yes the Rethugs will throw a bone at the Dems,but after what happened to Obama's Supreme Court Nominee,that door is nailed shut.

[ProudLib72]

2. You're preaching to the choir, but I'm afraid it's too late

Eight years of obstruction and promising to do everything possible to make Obama's life a living hell is not a good prelude to sudden adoption of bi-partisanship. No, the repukes have been waiting for this golden opportunity for some time, scheming, calculating. Do not believe McConnell's bi-partisanship bullshit. Do not believe anyone of them who claims he wants to reach across the aisle. Make no mistake: this is war. Rigging the election was the first volley. Ramming Gorsuch and Sessions down our throats was the second and third. This is a fight to the death, and they know it. Now it's time for us to accept that fact.

[kentuck]

3. In my opinion, it would be encouraging if they were just talking with each other.

They must see the danger signals in the road ahead.

They need to make some changes in the leadership. Only they have the power.

[ProudLib72]

4. I grant you that they are beginning to recognize the danger signals

But so far McConnell and Ryan seem to be confident they can maneuver around any obstacle and keep their party from dirtying its hands with bi-partisanship. It may get to a point when they are willing to throw tRump under the bus to save themselves, but I cannot see them going further. Think about McConnell's threat of bi-partisanship. What does it tell you about the party when its leader uses cooperation as a threat, as if the mere mention of cooperation is a taboo subject? It's sick. Can you imagine if Pelosi said Dems will never seek bi-partisanship because Republicans are evil incarnate? She would never do such a thing because she actually understands how government is supposed to operate. Too bad Repubs can't figure out the basics of government, too!

[kentuck]

5. I think, under the circumstances, both sides have a duty to try....

..before something catastrophic happens. Our country is in a crisis and our lawmakers need to try and prevent something terrible from happening.

[ProudLib72]

6. Absolutely

I think that Republicans are short sighted, though. They are giddy with the power they now have. The question is, Does tRump extend that power, or is he an obstacle to getting legislation passed? These field trips on buses could be convincing a few senators that tRump is more of an obstacle.

My real concern is his replacement. If Pence replaces him, will that clear the way for them to pass all sorts of horrible legislation? I don't know. It could have the opposite effect as well and weaken them. We are in uncharted territory, and going left or right could prove equally disastrous.

[kentuck]

7. No matter if Pence is the President, the investigation must continue.

We cannot leave all the questions unresolved about the Russia investigation. If Trump resigns, that does not settle the issues at hand.

[ProudLib72]

8. Yes, the investigation must continue

That's another concern, albeit a minor one. I think the investigation would proceed. I don't know about the scope or pace. I think the investigation would, at that point, be primarily to raise the alarm about election integrity. That should be our long term goal: completely securing elections. I wish we could have confidence in the mid-terms, but I'm not counting on that.