I think the President should work at forming a 'coalition Government' of sorts

[ThomWV]

I can understand the President's desire to serve the interests of as many Americans as possible, both those who voted for him and those who did not. That does not, however demand that he bow to the extreme right wing, or in fact any Republican agenda.

The President needs to bring together a coalition made up of traditional Democrats, Progressives, Greens, and even those Libertarians who are interested in preserving democracy in the USA or at least slowing the tide of Plutrocracy that is rising above us. Bring in the people who's primary interest in in educating the children or preserving and enhancing woman's rights and privacy.

Bring this coalition together and work diligently to appease their agendas and the greatest number will have been served. Bring these groups together and the nation will prosper. As for the virulent right wing - it is no use trying to placate them.

[Shagbark Hickory]

1. Even if the coalition doesn't represent the population proportionally? nt

[Turbineguy]

2. The various factions

have a symbiotic relationship to one another. Like one feudal lord who protects you from another. They get money and power, you get nothing. It's not about what's doing the best thing for everybody.

[Renew Deal]

3. Your post is either mathematically challenged or nonsense.

Who do you want Obama to bring together? He has to work with a hard right house and left of center Senate. Are you talking about voters? Congress people that don't exist? It makes no sense.

[Ozymanithrax]

4. There are neither Greens in Congress nor elected Libertarians...

and only a few independents.

Our government as designed in the Constitution does not work with coalitions. It is a winner take all system, and Democrats and Republicans have over time written the laws so that incumbent members of the two major parities have an enormous advantage.

The parties are coalitions of various interest groups, of course, but out system doesn't work as you describe. Except for a few like Bernie Sanders or Joe Lieberman, you are either a Democrat or a Republican. Republicans range from moderately right of center to crazy ass tea party puke. Anyone who breaks party discipline and works with the other side will not likely get re elected.

Democrats range from center right to Kucinich and Bernie Sanders. Democrats absolutely suck at party discipline. I am not sure how a coalition like you describe would work to get anything done.

[aquart]

5. Ridiculous. And utterly against the constitution's intent.

And "appease" is not a word I ever want to hear used as a positive achievement.

[MineralMan]

6. I'm afraid I can't see how he might do that.

Our government operates according to the Constitution. As far as I know, there isn't a single Green or Libertarian in Congress. There's one socialist, and a couple of independents. Where is this "coalition" going to come from?