GOP filibusters, a presidential veto, and Dem defensiveness in the wake of other filibuster and veto threats, have prevented Congressional leaders from enacting their campaign pledges.

Republicans whined and wailed about obstructionism when they were in charge, but they know full well that obstructionism can work politically.

Now, approval of Congress in two new polls has been dragged down to Bushian levels.

This week, Congressional Quarterly's headline was "Democrats' Domestic Agenda Hits Gridlock." Earlier this month, the W. Post ran a similar piece. Expect more if little continues to pass Congress.

(Though the spadework on a minimum wage compromise has been completed, and that may well get to Bush's desk in the near future.)

That's because Dems failed to set expectations properly after their election victory.

They got the message half-right: that the voters sent them to Washington to govern and get things done.

But they should have realized that with bare majorities and no good-faith partners in the GOP minority, they shouldn't have set expectations -- lots of great compromise legislation that Bush will sign! -- where they could not be met.

On Nov. 10, LiberalOasis warned Dems of this problem:

Understandably, they want to send a signal to the public that they are actually interested in governing and delivering for the public.

But they must know full well that there ain't going to be much compromising with this lot of right-wing Republicans.

Unless they're planning on a lot of caving in to conservatives, they may be setting false expectations with the public.

When problems don't get solved, they may be seen as failing to clear the bar they are setting for themselves.

How to avoid this problem?

Start talking about "principled bipartisanship."

Start making clear that they are willing to work across the aisle, but only to forge agreements in line with core Democratic principles shared by most Americans.

(Which I define in Wait! Don't Move To Canada! as representative, responsive, responsible government and fair, adequate taxation.)

That way, which those deals don't materialize, the public will recognize who was fighting for them and who wasn't.

That will help lay the groundwork for 2008, making the case that a Democratic president is needed for the public to finally, truly get their government back.

Sadly, Dem leaders didn't listen.

It'll be harder now, but Dems should not flagellate themselves and absorb more blame than they deserve.

They need to make clear that they are working as hard as possible to carry out the desires of the American people on the economy, health care, energy and education, and progress is being thwarted by the Republican minority.

If that is understood, then obstructionism won't work politically anymore.