Mr. President, the modern Republican party can not and will not meet you half way. Stop Trying. They will not compromise because they have been bought and paid for by rich corporate, private and religious interests.
If the Bush tax cuts were going to create jobs we'd be up to our armpits in jobs right now. We are not. Let them expire. You don't even have to do anything to make this happen.
There is no prize for being the adult in the room. Stop trying to compromise with these people who put their party above sane government.
You won the election with a larger 'mandate' than George w. Bush used to justify his continued war-making in 2004. The Democrats retained the Senate and made grounds in the House. We elected you to ensure that the rich pay their fair share.
Act like it.
Lead.