In the Bush era all it took was 45 Republicans, 6 easily-intimidated Democrats, and one Republican president confident that 15% of the country was solidly behind him. But for Democrats, a mandate and a filibuster-proof majority is not enough. Apparently passing legislation now takes an 85-seat Senate majority and the blessing of Fox news. The bar will be lower again when Republicans are back in power, of course.

Here’s a brief alternate reality where the Democrats actually deliver on the media’s fears of Democratic control…