From the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel — Originally published Wednesday, Jan. 21

… Mr. Obama has no time to bask in the glow of Tuesday’s inauguration. Neither do his governing partners on Capitol Hill. …

Obama cannot begin to make headway on such an ambitious agenda alone. He can’t govern by executive order. He needs the active engagement of the legislative branch.

It’s not surprising that while recent polls show strong approval for the new president, including among Republicans, they show weak support for Congress. Lawmakers didn’t do much under President George W. Bush to earn popular approval. …

Working well together doesn’t mean Congress has to take orders from Mr. Obama. On fundamental challenges such as the ones he has identified, there are bound to be sharp and principled differences between the two political parties. But if they seek common ground, and work with the White House, there is hope for real progress.

If, on the other hand, Congress reverts to its pattern of putting partisanship ahead of problem-solving, the nation’s woes will worsen. …