From The Window Seat

If you can't say something nice...

One of the jobs I've imagined pursuing in my second life is that of social studies teacher.  I am a strong believer in being actively engaged in civil life in large part because I was encouraged to political involvement at a young age.  I grew up writing my Congressman, going to rallies and volunteering in campaigns. 

Today, after a raucous summer of health care town hall debates, Tea Parties and a Member of Congress calling the President a liar on national TV, I'm not so sure how well I'd do inspiring 9th graders to get involved in our democracy. Of course, finger-pointing and name calling is not new. And it is by no means is confined to Republicans or Democrats. 

If I had to stand in front of the classroom Monday morning and say something to a roomful of students , I'd start with the admonishment, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  Honestly, when robust political debate over ideas is reduced to name calling, that is pathetic.  No high school debate coach would allow his or her student to get away with what some in Washington  - including party leaders on both sides - have resorted to in attempts to further their point of view.

Let's send Congress home to cool down a bit and invitethe state winners of high school debate teams spend a week in Washington reminding us how to make a compelling argument without looking foolish.

The Republican Gamble

About a year ago I blogged about the newly elected Florida Governor Charlie Crist and how, in his first 100 days, he had managed to build bridges across partisan lines in Florida, winning respect from many Democrats without alienating the Republicans that propelled him into office.

A hot topic in today’s national media is the question of how well new President Barack   Obama is doing in his first 100 securing bipartisan support for his key priority – the economic stimulus.  He secured no votes from the Rs in the house and just 3 in the Senate.  But his track record on the state level is a bit better.  Four Republican governors, including Charlie Crist who appeared with Obama in Ft. Myers as he politicked for his package, joined 15 of their Democratic counterparts in a letter urging Congress to pass the President’s stimulus package.

Crist, once rumored to be on McCain’s VP short list, is now being talked about to run for Florida’s open Senate in 2010. Surely, he is considering the political implications of appearing in such close proximity to the new President while many of his fellow partisans in DC are distancing themselves. A conservative PAC is promising to support primary challenges to anyone who back Obama on the stimulus. 

This one is a big gamble for the Republicans.  The stimulus bill will be signed with or without R’s in Washington.  If the economy begins to show measurable improvement by next November’s elections, the Rs who thumbed their noses at Obama could be in even sorrier shape than in this last cycle, though Crist could be looking pretty good.  But if the economy stays the same or worsens, what happens to the President’s coattails for the few Rs like Crist who dared to take the olive branch?  There are over 500 days until the next Congressional election – and this one is way too early to call.