Virginians last week almost saw partisan meltdown in Richmond. Lawmakers averted disaster, but the underlying tensions remain. With the House controlled by Republicans and the Senate by Democrats, either gridlock or compromise will define this session. The latter would better serve the commonwealth.

The question last week was whether the assembly would confirm two judges appointed by Gov. Tim Kaine, one to the Supreme Court and one to the Court of Appeals. Lawmakers had until Friday to decide.

As the deadline approached, House Republicans tried to stage a power grab.

They cared less about the judges' qualifications than the fact that a Democratic governor chose them. In exchange for confirmation, they demanded the right to fill vacancies on the State Corporation Commission and the Workers' Compensation Commission.

In other words, they would allow Democratic appointments only if balanced with Republican commissioners. The commissions have some judicial responsibilities, so a judge for a judge.

Make no mistake; this was not about blocking judges Republicans found unqualified or of poor judicial temperament. That at least would have been honest and within the rules. No, they did not ask the governor to find someone better. This wasn't about the quality of the judicial nominees at all. It was about House Republicans worried they wouldn't get their way on the other appointments. So they acted like children and threw a tantrum.

But they could not hold their breath indefinitely. At the last minute, Republicans approved the appointments, but they still want to pick those commission members.

In past years, commission appointments barely registered with the public. This year is different. The two chambers of the assembly have not split along partisan lines like this since Reconstruction.

Republicans last week revealed a tit-for-tat philosophy of governance that hinders progress in the commonwealth.

Virginia does not need to balance its courts and commissions with right- and left-wing jurists. Splitting a commission between polarized parties would create only another venue for partisan bickering.

There's a better way. Senate Democrats and House Republicans should realize their dream appointees will never fly in the other chamber. Instead, they should seek moderate individuals to serve on these commissions.

Neither side must cave to the other, but surely they can find qualified Virginians willing to serve the commonwealth without first running everything through a partisan filter. Such people could bring a spirit of working together and striving for practical solutions that has been sorely missing in Richmond lately.

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