A popular Libertarian governor presides over a highly polarized general assembly that is evenly split between urban progressives and rural Tea Party conservatives. Neither side supports the governor’s own agenda. The governor leans toward the conservative side on issues of gun control and taxation, and she leans progressive on issues of social justice and health care.
Answer
A
Both Democrats and Republicans will proceed as though they held a strong majority.
B
The Democrats and Republicans will work together to delegitimize the governor.
C
Each party will work to strengthen the governor when she is in their favor, while weakening her when she is opposed to their agenda.
D
Both parties will defer to the governor’s right to define the agenda and will work with her to promote her preferred aims and goals.
Explanation
Because the legislature is evenly divided and neither party supports the governor’s overall agenda, each party has an incentive to judge her proposals issue by issue. Democrats may support her when she favors social justice or health care, while Republicans may support her on gun control or taxation. Each party is therefore likely to strengthen her when her position advances its goals and oppose or weaken her when it does not.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.