There’s a danger in judging Obama’s attempt at bipartisanship too early.  While some might look at his failure to receive a single House Republican vote for his stimulus bill as a dismal failure, there is much more at play here than simple numbers.

President Obama has made a number of moves which suggest that his campaign promise of repairing “broken and divided politics” is one he is intent on keeping.  He has met a number of times with Republican congressional members to hear their side of the issues firsthand.   He has also appointed two Republicans to cabinet posts and there is talk of appointing a third Republican (Judd Gregg) as commerce secretary.

The stimulus bill will now go to the Senate where a number of ammendments will be made.  From there, it’s back to the House where it is hoped, some Republicans will sign on.  For Democrats, the challenge will be in striking a balance between listening to Republican concerns and making concessions while aware that their party won the election with a true mandate for change.

For Republicans, their challenge will be in making themselves heard while also understanding that the electorate voted for change – change in both the way Washington works as well as doing away with the failed policies of the last 8 years.  The next couple of weeks and the ways in which both parties handle the stimulus bill will say much on how difficult Obama’s dream of a new brand of politics can be realized.

Adding to the complexity of the matter, is that many Republican Governors are calling for passage of the stimulus bill.  While their conservative beliefs leaves them concerned with certain aspects of the bill, their need for immediate funds to deal with the recession is all too real.

It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.