From the article:
Senator Evan Bayh, Democrat of Indiana, said the atmosphere was a serious threat to Democrats. “I do think there’s a chance that Congressional elites mistook their mandate,” Mr. Bayh said. “I don’t think the American people last year voted for higher taxes, higher deficits and a more intrusive government. But there’s a perception that that is what they are getting.”
He is referring to "higher taxes, higher deficits and a more intrusive government". He thinks it is a "perception". Incredible, just incredible. These people in Washington with government jobs (elected & non-elected) are SO ISOLATED FROM REALITY that it is absolutely frightening. And he thinks that "he" is perceptive???? - Shows you just how far out the rest of them are.