New year? President's veto threat not a harbinger of progress

No one should be really surprised that President Barack Obama is already warning Republican leaders that there just might be a few vetoes in their future.

After all, no one really thought that November's landslide election would result in hand-holding or cooperation-promising -- or in other words, anything other than the ordinary behavior in Washington.

But as the new year dawns, the president should remember something that he and his fellow Democrats said not too long ago.

Elections mean something.

In this case, it was a lack of confidence in the current administration -- and it was a decisive message.

Now, the Republicans should not get all giddy either. Not too many Americans are all that sure that they can handle fixing the problems either.

So, as 2015 arrives, the plan should be for everybody in Washington to set aside a few egos, and a whole lot of bitterness, and to figure out the best way to lead the country forward.

And you do not do that with threats before the negotiation starts.

At least not if you really WANT anything to get done.

Published in Editorials on December 29, 2014 10:48 AM