In the days leading up to last night's State of the Union address, cable television was abuzz about Members of Congress of opposing parties sitting together to show of unity in the wake of the attempted assassination of Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.The idea was widely credited to Third Way, a centrist Democratic group, and Colorado Sen. Mark Udall (D) who became its chief proponent on Capitol Hill.
But, the idea of cross party-seating -- not just for the State of the Union speech but always - -- has been around since the mid-1990s in the context of political campaign as Democrats running in Republican-leaning states have used it to paint themselves as independent problem-solvers.
Luntz then broached Obama’s bipartisanship call, with voters who identified themselves as Republicans indicating they didn’t buy into it. Most said they had heard the cooperation request before.
“So the question is, What is it about this appeal to bipartisanship that those of you on the Republican side don't like?” Luntz asked the group.
“When he first got into office he was going to be the president to change everything, come across the aisle. It never happened,” one man said.