never, never, never give in

Churchill's advice helped sustain British morale during World War II. As a general rule, however, it can be seen either as steadfastness [a virtue] or obstinacy [a vice].  There now seems to be a partisan divide in America over how to resolve major political problems. Democrats [59%] and Independents [53%] say that they like "elected officials who compromise with people they disagree with." Only 36% of Republicans share that view. Now wonder Republican leaders in Congress oppose bipartisan deals.

Today at the National Prayer Breakfast President Obama noted the limited duration of good feelings at that event.

"I do worry that as soon as we leave the prayer breakfast everything we talked about ... will be forgotten," he said as the audience chuckled. "I go back to the Oval Office and I started watching the cable news networks, and it's like we didn't pray."

Of course, Congress is help in low opinion by people of all parties these days. Years ago, when the Senate chaplain was asked how he could pray for disreputable lawmakers, he replied: "I don't pray for them. I stand at the front of the chamber, look at the many Senators, and pray for the country."