“With power comes accountability. Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) — the man who would most likely be speaker in a Republican House of Representatives — seems to understand that Republicans need to avoid repeating the mistakes they made in 1994 when they lost a standoff with President Clinton over the government shutdown.

“‘I think the American people want us to find a way to work together to address the concerns that face the American people every day. We’re going to drive for a smaller, less costly and more accountable government here in Washington, D.C.,’ Boehner says. ‘And to the extent that we can find common ground in that direction, I would welcome it.'”

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“While Mr. Obama tirelessly campaigns for Democrats, he said in a recent interview that he sees the prospect of more cooperation from Republicans after the election.

“‘It may be that regardless of what happens, after the election they feel more responsible,’ he said, ‘either because they didn’t do as well as they anticipated, and so the strategy of just saying no to everything and sitting on the sidelines and throwing bombs didn’t work for them, or they did reasonably well, in which case the American people are going to be looking to them to offer serious proposals and work with me in a serious way.'”

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“Voters see Republicans as unlikely to compromise with the Obama administration if they reclaim either the U.S. House or Senate, a Zogby Poll indicated…

“Pollster John Zogby said the data represented a ‘very troubled outlook for successful governance after the election’ because of polarization.

“‘Half of the voters see gridlock as preferable to allowing Obama and the Democrats more time to see their policies carried through,’ Zogby said. ‘Given the strong opinions of independents on these questions, there appears to be very little middle ground for any politicians who might seek it.'”

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“‘Look, the time to go along and get along is over,’ said Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.), the chairman of the House Republican Conference. ‘House Republicans know that. We’ve taken firm and principled stands against their big government plans throughout this Congress, and we’ve got, if the American people will send them, we’ve got a cavalry of men and women headed to Washington, D.C. that are going to stand with us.’…

“‘Look, there will be no compromise on stopping runaway spending, deficits and debt. There will be no compromise on repealing Obamacare. There will be no compromise on stopping Democrats from growing government and raising taxes,’ Pence told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt Thursday evening. ‘And if I haven’t been clear enough yet, let me say again: No compromise.'”

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