[tanknetter]

The closeness of the popular vote will limit BO’s legislative aggressiveness

Doubtful. I remember people saying exactly the same thing when Bill Clinton won with 42% of the vote. He charged full-steam ahead with his big-city-pol payout, gays in the military, etc.

What stopped him cold was the cohesiveness of the GOP in the Congress. Newt had great leadership qualities and could hold a minority caucus together in the House. For all his faults as a Presidential candidate, Dole did pretty well in the Senate. Between Boehner and Mitch I don't see the GOP having the kind of leadership talent that's going to move back to a Congressional majority in two years ... especially since RINOS like Specter, Snowe and Collins can be expected to cross party lines to break filibusters.

[prairiebreeze]

I don't see the GOP having the kind of leadership talent that's going to move back to a Congressional majority in two years ... especially since RINOS like Specter, Snowe and Collins can be expected to cross party lines to break filibusters.

Correct. Unfortunately.