point for us at this stalemate in the senate and house? i think it s typical of the way things are going to be. the processes of the congress have fallen apart. we ve talked about the filibuster, it s more than that. bills that used to be considered in a regular order that s a wonderful phrase there is no regular order anymore. everything is shoved into a partisan confrontation. i think it will be more that way with the tea party. i m struck by the fact that the tea party era had has sort of begun on the senate side. and the dynamic all along is going to be mitch mcconnell and his leadership structure trying to keep ahead of and control of and trying to not get thrown you off by the tea party movement. government not doing anything. howard fineman, thank you.