He didn’t need to reach across the aisle. His party in Congress reached over just fine.
I agree, but remember what W campaigned on in his first term - he was a uniter not a divider. And, as part of that misguided philosophy, he "reached across the aisle" to Teddy Chappaquiddick to write the No Child Left Behind act that has contributed to and accelerated the deterioration of our public school system. Also, recall that as soon as W signed that bill, Teddy Chappaquiddick started stabbing W in the back.
His party in Congress reached over just fine.
Again, I agree that the 'Pubbies expend too much effort trying to be "liked" by their Dem counterparts to their own disadvanrage. This is why so many of us are so disenchanted with the GOP. Too many RINOs, and way too few pit bulls.