Bipartisanship in a Time of Crisis
By now, you’ve probably heard about President Obama’s recent question-and-answer session with Congressional Republicans. It’s worth watching (or listening if you’re at work) for yourself to see how our President handles a bunch of childish talking points with balance and wisdom.
Here are two places you can watch it online:
Huffington Post
BarackObama.com (also features highlights)
The exchange reminds me of British or Canadian politics, where leaders spar congenially like this all the time. I think such debate is great, and we need more of it.
Interestingly enough, Democratic Congressional (TX-19) candidate Andy Wilson wrote his latest newsletter about bipartisanship BEFORE this now-famous Presidential Q&A happened. It’s called “Bipartisanship in a Time of Crisis,” and the message speaks to our West Texas values:
We have a long tradition of this kind of responsible representation by men of strong principle like Charlie Stenholm, George Mahon and Omar Burleson, giants who took our West Texas values to Washington and who were not afraid to work across the aisle to get things done on behalf of their constituents.
In contrast to this cooperative approach based solidly on West Texas values of sound policies, limited but good government and hard work, it pains me to see the comparatively narrow and partisan views taken by my prospective opponents. In the general election coming up next fall, we will have an opportunity to contrast the West Texas values of hard work and reaching across the aisle as pursued by the great West Texas Democrats of this area with those of the current office-holder and the other challenger for this office.
(my emphasis)
The bums we need to vote out are the ones who have made a career out of getting in the way of not only progress but also dialogue. We must reclaim the ability to debate constructively with each other at the national level. It’s essential to democracy, and we’re losing it because the GOP leadership refuses to join an adult discussion.
By the way, there is now a new Twitter feed to unite Democrats across the 19th Congressional District of Texas. Check it out.
Andy Wilson’s website: iStandWithAndy.com
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