My new column at CJR questions President Obama’s claim that his re-election would “break the fever” among Republicans and induce a newfound spirit of cooperation. Here’s how it begins:

With the media focused on the horse race (and Mitt Romney’s ongoing tactical miscues), the claims by President Obama and his allies that his re-election would “break the fever” or pop “the blister” of steadfast GOP opposition in Congress have received relatively little attention. But with the incumbent now a 3:1 favorite in betting and futures markets, his fanciful suggestions that being re-elected will convince Republicans to compromise with him deserve far greater scrutiny.

For more, read the whole thing.