Wall Street Journal Using FOX TACTICS

Washington has never been held in lower esteem by Americans than it is today. Yet those in control of Washington—President Obama and congressional Democrats—are bent on enacting a series of sweeping domestic policy changes this year that have one thing in common: They are unpopular, in whole or in part.

This is unprecedented and a bit weird too. A revival of civility and an end to the ugly political polarization in Washington—goals stressed by Mr. Obama in his presidential campaign and again last Saturday in a speech at the University of Michigan—won't be furthered by passage of an unpopular agenda. A more likely result is years of partisan resentment and bitter fighting over efforts by Republicans to repeal the unwanted policies.

Fred Barnes, WSJ

The GOP strategy begins by obstructing or killing every part of the Democratic agenda. The Republicans rarely promote their own legislation. Any display of bipartisanship is a ruse meant to delay proceedings. They dismiss public sentiment or support for a measure arguing that the Tea Party beliefs are a better guide for policy makers. Since they advance no complete agenda, they waste legislative time to defeat measures through extended rancor.

The Republican tactics are beginning to unwind. They leave them with nothing to run on during the 2010 mid-terms.