I think he understands that he's not playing to the Republicans in Congress. His attempts at bipartisanship and his ability to keep the tone civil and even respectful (at least out in the open), is appreciated by the majority of people who vote. I think that's part of what got him elected. So as I said, he keeps things on the high ground and he comes out smelling good. They take it down into the muck and they come out smelling pretty bad.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if the things they gave up in the stimulus package were just put there as bargaining chips, and they didn't really expect those items to get passed.