U.S. Senate may become more productive

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204452104577058422984532242.html

Wishful thinking? I don't think so. I think Obama's belief that he won the 2008 election and didn't have to compromise is responsible for much of the recent impasse(s). The last time Republicans held the Congress and the White House they acted like democrats. Would this time be different? Maybe. The Tea Party may hold them to account. If not, I'll be looking for a third party. With unemployment persistently around 9% and Obama's approval rating in the mid to low 40's, I think a republican majority in 2012 is a distinct possibility.

Also, may I suggest you bookmark Mr. Taranto's column? It is not always insightful but it is always funny.

Mr. Taranto's column is "Best of the Web" in the Wall Street Journal. The column I linked above is not a part of it. I am sorry I misled you.

Also, did you notice that Joe Manchin declined to support the President's persistent and petulant call for approval of the withholding tax extension and expansion? Manchin said that the tax cut denies the Social Security Trust $120 billion. The tax cut from last year denied the fund $100 billion rushing the reckoning of bankruptcy of Social Security. It was set for 2017. What does this "tax cut" do to that?

I've been struggling with forgiving Manchin for supporting a measure which would allow state employees all over the country to unionize. Manchin told me (via e-mail) that the "employer would have the final say." That was not true and I told him so. If a dispute went to binding arbitration, the arbiter could rule without regard to the state's financial condition.

Hi OC,

I think Manchin is very likely to further take on the flavor of Washington Dems, and it just might imperil him next time he faces a Raese or the like.

I think if it is Capito, however, he could win even if caught "Marion Berry style" with drugs and prostitutes