"Divided leadership makes it much harder to pursue compromise positions on sensitive issues, either in domestic or foreign policy," said Kenneth Lieberthal, a former Clinton administration China specialist who is now at the University of Michigan.
Republican leaders have even less incentive than usual to pursue compromise, said Johannes, because Trump provides little clarity about what concessions he's willing to tolerate.
And Republicans are hoping that if they win enough seats in 2010, Obama will turn into Bill Clinton redux, pursuing compromises on deficits and entitlement reform in lieu of more liberal legislation.
After all, had the founders of the Republic pursued compromise in 1776, there might never have been a Union to save.
There are signs that China is interested in pursuing compromise and collaboration with the U.S. and its Asian neighbors, not confrontation.
In a brief appearance at the State Department on Monday, Mr. Kerry said his goal was to pursue "reasonable compromises" of some of the Middle East's most intractable issues.
WASHINGTON — As the economy worsens, President Obama and his senior aides are considering whether to adopt a more combative approach on economic issues, seeking to highlight substantive differences with Republicans in Congress and on the campaign trail rather than continuing to pursue elusive compromises, advisers to the president say.
China's leaders are unwisely refusing to pursue a compromise.
China's leaders are unwisely refusing to seriously pursue a compromise.
He said that he hoped to meet with the governor to pursue a compromise.
Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi defends her current relationship with the military, saying that she wants to pursue "negotiated compromise" and that retribution will not serve the country well.
