While President Bush was able to pick off enough moderate Democrats to win approval of a budget that advances his tax cut and spending-restraint agenda, most Democrats are not ready to compromise. N.Y. There is little political advantage to compromising too readily.
Democrats recognize a danger in being seen as obstructionists.
Thus, there were indications they would not wage a wholesale campaign against Bush's first round of 11 federal judicial nominations. And the two parties continue to seek common ground on education legislation. For the most part, he has been able to command impressive party discipline. Democrats see the Senate as their best target. The chamber is evenly divided 50-50, but Republicans have 20 seats to defend, Democrats just 14.