The Tea Party is the harbinger of things to come. The independents are fickle, as pointed out above; they also look for simple solutions. They are worried about their pocketbooks, and Obama has done nothing to re-assure them. Add the 'rightists" as Ron calls them and the makings of a majority are there.
Loss of more seats in the coming Congressional election is a given, and unless Obama can perform a miracle or two, the Republicans could regain the White House in 2012.

Ron, my "mediate" was an unfortunate word; compromise is needed but setting up the 60 against the rest meant that the lines were drawn and reason would not prevail.