If Obama wins the election, do you think obstructionist behavior in Congress will decrease?

Only if the House changes its majority.

The tea party is still running strong in my neck of the woods and the Congress will listen the constituency. But there maybe some changes, in next Congress, because of the coattails from Obama ( if / when he wins).

If Obama wins…
...and R’s don’t see significant gains/losses in congress I think they’ll work together to a better than minimal extent particularly on headline issues. I’m basing that on R fears of taking a beating or at least not making head-way in 2014 and wanting credit for “working together”.

…and R’s see real gains in congress I think they’ll stonewall on most issues and focus on spinning them in the press. Public opinion will decide how well they work moving towards 2014. Based on the assumption they’ll find it better to work if public opinion slides and better to fight if it gains.

…and R’s see real losses in congress I think they’ll shout loudly but generally stay out of the way in all but base-focused issues. Then lay blame as heavily as possible going into 2014. Based on inability to effectively prevent legislation but needing to be seen as aggressively promoting their philosophy.

The goal in all cases would be to maximize their chances in the 2016 race and for that, one way or another, they’ll need some positive press.

I seriously doubt it. The Republicans have cleary demonstrated their concerns come before the country’s. Look at the number of farmers devastated by dought, and they blocked any action. Look at the the tax changes coming up, and they blocked action. I’m really glad I can still get that 30 round magazine for my pistol though.

I’m glad too

I’d like to think so, but I’m afraid that I don’t believe the Republicans will play ball.

It has everything to do with who gets elected to Congress. If it is people who talk about “legitimate rape” and think that lady-parts become magical—there is no telling what will happen. If it includes people who have comprehension about basic science and math facts, it should be good.

For the record, basic science facts includes awareness of how lady-parts REALLY work and an awareness of the result of opening the windows on an aircraft above 10,000 feet. Basic math facts includes an awareness of how helping 1% to the exclusion of all others does NOT result in better circumstances for the other 99%.

When Obama wins it will make no difference, the parties of Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb will still be at odds. The party of Twiddle Dee will do all they can to make Obama look stupid as to improve the ill-fated legacy of some dubya hothead, cowboy who wasted tons of American bucks in an Arab sand pit while using the young men and women of the military as his own Luca Brasi. To make Botch, Bush look good the party of Twiddle Dee will stop at nothing.

No. I’ve been politically aware since Johnson and I’ve never seen the vehemence and scorched earth policies that I’ve seen coming from the Republican side, driven by the insanity of the NeoCons and their Tea bagger dupes. They do not want a Democrat to solve these problems and I believe they are willing to obstruct and blame the record on the Democratic administration until they finally win. Rove and his ilk have made it clear in words and actions that they want the Oval Office no matter the body count or damage to the citizenry, and they want it for the next 20 years. These are not patriots. I don’t know what they are.

I would like to think that some cooperation in Congress can be accomplished, but I hesitate to believe that it might actually happen. I think along the same lines as @Espiritus_Corvus .

I’m still astonished at the number of people who think that cooperation in Congress and between Congress and the White House is such a good thing.

No matter who wins, I want to see near-total gridlock in Congress and between the legislative and executive branches. I absolutely hate to see either of our current parties obtain a lock on both of those branches, or even to see much agreement between Congress and the White House.

Ah, remember those halcyon days of late 2002 to early spring 2003… when we decided what a grand idea it would be to invade Iraq? Don’t put all of the blame on W… he had a lot of support from Democrats in Congress.

Three cheers for divided and gridlocked government.

@CWOTUS I can agree with you to a certain point, but at some point we have to realize that America isn’t perfect. The only way to continue to move toward a ‘more perfect union’ is if we have the chance to make changes as we go along. To correct course, or chart new ones. When we yearn for straight-up gridlock, we’re admitting that this is as good as it gets. I’m not there yet.

I think that the Republicans have learned that blocking progress in congress works. If their candidate is elected, then I see no reason that they would continue to be obstructionist. But unless something changes, expect them to react this way every time a Democrat is elected. It gives them a powerful talking point come election time (“look how little he/she has accomplished!”).

Something has to change – but I think the only way that can happen is to elect more moderate members of congress. I think it would be hard to organize voters to do that when they’re voting for individual local representatives.

The Republicans will cooperate with the Democrats only if they fear their own seats will be in danger if they don’t. I think (and hope) that citizens are getting tired of work not getting done.

I am completely with @CWOTUS on this one. That is the system of checks and balances that keeps any one party from going nuts with their own particular agenda.

@rooeytoo But what you call “going nuts with their own particular agenda” is essentially the same as “keeping campaign promises”. What’s the point of electing a candidate on their platform, then preventing them from being able to act on those ideas?

@glacial – does anyone actually believe campaign promises???

They are called campaign promises because after the campaign is over so are the promises. Silly people rely on those.