Katie Couric's Notebook: Divided Government

Winston Churchill once said, "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."

With all due respect, maybe he should have tried talking to the average voter for 15...or even 30 minutes instead.

Of all the fascinating voices that emerged in the 2010 elections, the most compelling was the voice of the American people. Months of financial turmoil and years of mounting debt caused a tea kettle to boil and whistle. Independents...who handed Democrats overwhelming victories in 2006 and 2008...took them back. And last night in exit polls, voters indicated equal amounts of disapproval...for both parties.

A new story begins today...but it could play out two ways. Team Boehner and Team Obama can dig in their heels like the Hatfields and the McCoys, or they can hear the voice of the people, the 78 percent who say they want compromise on key issues.

Now, that would be a real change.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.