Today on The Gist: Divided government is supposed to foster compromise. Instead, Washington is mired in the mud. Norm Ornstein of The Atlantic talks about the potential of independents to swing the balance of power in the Senate. Plus, New York’s Barrow Street Theater is mounting English playwright Mark Ravenhill's Pool (No Water). Director Ianthe Demos and performer Nick Flint explain how they staged a play without stage directions. For the Spiel, uncles woo nieces, energy drinks woo attorneys general and Lexus tries to woo our host.

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