6 - With Enemies Like These
The Silver Lining of Divided Government
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
Summary
What we need is harmonious, consistent, responsible party government, instead of a wide dispersion of function and responsibility; and we can get it only by connecting the President as closely as may be with his party in Congress.
– Woodrow WilsonKeep your friends close, and your enemies even closer.
– Michael Corleone, The Godfather: Part IIINTRODUCTION: BEWARE OF CHARGING RINOS
In January 2001, Republicans were perceived as being in an excellent strategic position as they took over the reins of power. Despite losing the popular vote for the presidency and having to endure a protracted vote dispute in Florida, Republicans had emerged with the presidency, a tiny majority in the House, and – by virtue of Vice President Dick Cheney's tiebreaking vote – nominal control of the evenly divided Senate. Despite his party's razor-thin control of the legislative branch, by most accounts, President George W. Bush came out of the gates quickly and benefited from substantial early successes in governing. Democrats, in particular, seemed to resent the comparatively smooth sailing that Bush and the Republicans enjoyed early in their unified government. According to critics within the Democratic Party at the time, congressional Democrats “essentially rolled over and are letting Bush have his way. They don't believe Democrats have a real strategy for taking the guy on.” However, Democrats soon received support from an unexpected source: Bush's fellow Republicans.
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- When Politicians AttackParty Cohesion in the Media, pp. 147 - 182Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010