The Democratic edict was a backward looking one.

Americans are fearful, and they want protection.

I can understand that.

The McCain campaign was a backward-forward looking one...a pushme-pullyou where he seemed to want to say certain things, but the political climate made it...impossible.

In the end, one must always move forward...one can never go backward.

...the free market is still the most efficient means to allocate capital and human resources in an economy, and Americans know it.

Sure, I know it.  But the free market is predicated on perfect competition and zero externalities, and those conditions don't really exist in any industry in America today.  Although this feeling should make a carbon tax palatable to Republicans, because it utilizes the free market to make decisions about reducing carbon, though I doubt that it will.

...and per your question #3 above -- I wonder if part of the reason for appointing Rahm Emanuel is that Obama recognizes that the Republicans who are left in Congress just aren't going to go along.

If the minority is hell-bent on obstruction, why not hire a pit bull to clear them out of the way?  Not a bad strategy, especially if you know you're going to have to counter the propensity of Pelosi and Reid to roll over at the first sign of trouble.

The republicans are notorious for obstructing legislation the people need and putting their own parties self interest ahead of the American peoples interests.

Everyone want bipartisanship but when the other party doesn't care about what's best then how can you?! I say let the dems rule. Maybe then we'll get to pass good climate acts and environmental protections. Maybe then we'll get to have a better healthcare system, better education, better science education, etc...

And I don't feel the Free Market, by itself, is the best option. There needs to be a leash on the beast or else it'll run wild with trying to get the most profits in the shortest amount of time and BAM we have a global crisis. There has to be some mandates and restrictions to keep the greedy corporate giants in check. Just look at the multi-million/billion dollar bonuses they receive. They put a cap on corporate salary and they bypass it with bonuses. Meanwhile they're now using tax payer money to go on thousand dollar golf trips and spa resort vacations.

Until the republican party in senate can think about anyone but themselves then to hell with bipartisanship.