A Plea for Bipartisanship

Douglas Schoen and Jessica Tarlov on what voters really want: tax hikes, spending cuts, and compromise.

Published Nov. 19 2012 4:45AM EST

articles/2012/11/19/a-plea-for-bipartisanship/plea-for-bipartisanship-schoen-tarlov-tease_i95kbw — Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo

This year’s election did not provide a clear mandate for either party. Yes, President Obama won a big victory in the Electoral College. But the popular vote was extremely close, and even as voters opted for a Democratic President and Senate, they also elected a Republican House.