Let’s see: So far we’ve witnessed hyper-partisanship, President Barack Obama’s poll numbers plunge eight points, less than three in 10 saying they view Republicans favorably, Republicans showing barely disguised contempt towards Obama, Democratic liberals worrying Obama will “cave,” former Vice President Dick Cheney embracing the use of torture, Sarah Palin getting media mileage snark, Ann Coulter calling Bill Clinton a “forcible rapist,” and Democrats dreaming of Hillary Clinton in the White House.

So you thought this would be different than 2009? But, yes, we’ve already learned some lessons about politics 2013. A few of them: