The New York Times, October 17, 2010, in an article entitled “The Education of a President”:

Obama expressed optimism to me that he could make common cause with Republicans after the midterm elections. “It may be that regardless of what happens after this election, they feel more responsible,” he said, “either because they didn’t do as well as they anticipated, and so the strategy of just saying no to everything and sitting on the sidelines and throwing bombs didn’t work for them, or they did reasonably well, in which case the American people are going to be looking to them to offer serious proposals and work with me in a serious way.”

Mike Pence, Chair of the House Republican Conference, a senior leader in the Republican caucus of the House of Representatives, October 22, 2010, in a radio interview with Hugh Hewitt:

“Look, the time to go along and get along is over,” said Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.), the chairman of the House Republican Conference. “House Republicans know that. We’ve taken firm and principled stands against their big government plans throughout this Congress, and we’ve got, if the American people will send them, we’ve got a cavalry of men and women headed to Washington, D.C. that are going to stand with us.”

Pence said his party wouldn’t compromise on issues like spending or healthcare reform, two of the weightiest items on Congress’ agenda next year, when the Republicans could control one or both chambers.

“Look, there will be no compromise on stopping runaway spending, deficits and debt. There will be no compromise on repealing Obamacare. There will be no compromise on stopping Democrats from growing government and raising taxes,” Pence told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt Thursday evening. “And if I haven’t been clear enough yet, let me say again: No compromise.”

I’m amused that Pence thinks there was at one point a “time to go along and get along.” When was that? January 20, 2009, from 9am-3pm?

As if to continue on that theme, Jon Kyl, Minority Whip and second in the Senate Republican leadership, from October 21, 2010 with Hugh Hewitt:

“We had 40 votes, and then 41 votes, the absolute bare minimum needed to prevent the Democrats from passing most of their agenda. And with a couple of exceptions, we succeeded. Every single Republican held tight,” he said. “So we have shown that we can act together in a very strong way. And I just have to think that with greater numbers in the Senate, and potentially taking over the House, we’re just going to be in a much stronger position.”

Basically, the action in the next two years will be in the executive branch federal agencies, all of which will be under constant threat of defunding and harassment from the GOP.

But bipartisanship, in the Congress? Fuhgettaboutit.