But Clinton walked away, Meyer says, because the Democrats are determined to campaign against a do-nothing Congress. Even Meyer and other Republicans concede that this is a smart gambit. Other Clinton initiatives were a bust on political as well as policy terms, though. And the President himself bears much of the blame for failure. In a stinging rebuke, the Senate on Oct. 13 rejected the pact, 48-51.
Next year is likely to bring even more policy stalemate.
Sure, some modest gains are likely. Republicans vow to iron out their differences so they can pass a minimum-wage hike, if only to deprive Democrats of a campaign target. But the political landscape has shifted since 1996. Republicans, sensing that they have a shot at putting one of their own in the White House, will want to avoid solutions to major problems so their standard-bearer can put his stamp on them. The political forces have conspired to greatly reduce the incentives for compromise on a range of issues,'' says Mann.