Final answer:
The factors that contributed to the political division between Republicans and Democrats during the Obama years include the passage of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, the Supreme Court's decision to stop the recount during the 2000 election, and the gridlock in Washington and Republican resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that contributed to the political division between Republicans and Democrats during the Obama years include:
- The passage of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act: This act, also known as the bank bailout, was passed in response to the financial crisis of 2008. It created a divide between Republicans and Democrats as they disagreed on the approach to handling the crisis.
- The Supreme Court's decision to stop the recount during the 2000 election: This decision, which resulted in George W. Bush becoming president, led to resentment among Democrats and contributed to the political divide between the two parties.
- The gridlock in Washington and Republican resistance: The intractable resistance from Republicans, including increased filibusters and refusal to allow a vote on important legislation, created political gridlock and hindered Obama's ability to achieve legislative victories.