BLOGGERS POLL: An Aisle Too Wide

As Congress prepares to take up another far-reaching reform plan, this one overhauling the financial services industry, bipartisanship is sure to linger as a political subplot.

But to what end? In this week's NationalJournal.com Bloggers Poll, about two-thirds of respondents on both the left and right doubt it's in their corresponding parties' best interests to cross the aisle.

Right-leaners say it's not worth giving Democrats the political cover on proposals they don't believe in. "Republicans played this game before, allowed Democrats a glimmer of hope, and now we have a massive health care overhaul," said J.R. Hoeft. "Best to just propose amendments that keep getting defeated and alternatives that keep getting ignored." Left-leaners say good riddance, better not to compromise or share credit for a potential winning midterm issue. "Republicans will just be interested in weakening the bill and making it less consumer-friendly. Democrats should let them hang themselves with that position," said Howie Klein.

Even those who were open to working with the other party were careful to watch their blind side. "Republicans don't want to have this discussion, so Dems should start out by reaching out. Frame the debate as Wall Street vs. Main Street, then let Republicans vote against that in an election year," said Taylor Marsh. "Sure, if the reform means less taxpayer support for short-sighted and reckless Wall Street firms. No, if the reform means extending the Bush-Obama TARP principle of making taxpayers even more likely to be stuck with the bill for future bailouts," said David Kopel.

Bloggers were also asked if, on balance, President Obama would help or hurt Democrats in close races. About 81 percent of left-leaners said he'd help; about 83 percent on the right said he'd hurt.

"Obviously help. He is the most popular pol in America. The question is, will his voters come out to vote? The answer to that question is the problem -- not many," said Big Tent Democrat. On the right, James Joyner said, "Almost by definition, competitive districts will be those where Obama's not overly popular. Democrats running in those places will want to be seen as 'their own man.'"

See complete results and all the bloggers' comments after the jump.