President-Elect Obama Faces Dramatically Changed Congress
Democrats to hold a more dominant majority in more than a generation.
Nov. 5, 2008 — -- President-elect Barack Obama will have a dramatically different Congress to work with, after Democrats gained a more dominant majority in both chambers than they have had in more than a generation.
Divided government has been a fact of American political life for most of the last 30 years. Just as President Bush has had to deal with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, President Clinton tangled with Republican Newt Gingrich and President Reagan sparred with Democrat Tip O'Neil.
Even when Bush and Clinton enjoyed congressional majorities, those majorities were narrow and, for the most part, they had to work with leaders of the other party to get anything passed.
The expanded Democratic majority on Capitol Hill will make it easier for Obama -- in the beginning at least -- to enact a sweeping Democratic agenda.
Consider the early priorities:
- Obama Promises A New Dawn of American Leadership
- Democrats Earn Larger Majority in Congress
- EXIT POLLS 2008: Results and Breakdown
- Election Map: State-by-State Results
- Electoral College Calculator: Reaching 270
- Complete Vote 2008 Election Coverage
