How Biden's firm line with Republicans draws on lesson of Obama's mistakes

[StarfishSaver]

12. I hear you, but I don't know if that was actually a "mistake"

Yes, in hindsight we can see that it didn't go well. But had he taken another tack, for example played tough and refused to compromise, we don't know that he would have gotten any more than he got - and people would now probably be looking back and blaming him for being too "my way or the highway" and for the fact that Republicans are dig in their heels and behave the way they do today. "Much of the Republican intransigence was triggered by Obama's failure to compromise with them. If Obama had reached out more and tried to work with them instead of being so obstinate, he would have accomplished so much more and we wouldn't be in the situation we are today ... Biden learned from Obama's mistakes and he is now making clear he is open to reaching out and compromising with the Republicans ..."