he made a deal with republicans to extend the bush tax cuts. after losing so badly at the polls, he changed his tune and he cut a deal that also included some new stimulus money. for the most part the left hated it. the polls also showed that the public actually liked it, they liked what they were seeing a real bipartisan deal. so the white house that was take home message, take a congress sill tear tone and you get rewarded. the only problem with the plan, bush tax cuts deal in december 2010 was made when democrats had lame duck majorities in the house and the senate. in january 2011, scores of democrats officially left office. a brand-new batch of 63 republican freshman were sworn in, freshman who didn't share the white house's willingness to make deals.