How about some statesmanship for a change?
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
The nation is just past a historic and divisive election presidential campaign yet the predictable partisan chatter has fully blossomed.
The beltway jockeying between the parties quickly took root - more than two months before Inauguration Day. So who cares and what’s new? Birds still fly south for the winter.
Our country is wallowing in an epic economic tailspin that is looking more like voracious black hole. The current and incoming president along with Congress must act swiftly and decisively to take concrete actions to relieve severe pain being spread among Americans of all ilks and political persuasions.
It is a time to pull the heads out of the well-worn grooves of posturing to use some field glasses to see the highly complex problems that will not be solved unilaterally by either party. It’s time for some compromise and leadership from both parties.
But even in the face of economic cataclysm, political leaders will revert to their partisan instincts. The nation and its people doesn’t have time to wait for them to recognize that the world has changed dramatically and so should their bad habits.
News that Illinois congressman Rahm Emanuel would become chief of staff for President-elect Barack Obama was met with the obligatory sound bites decrying him as an attack dog who defies Obama’s pledge to work across the aisle.
Congressman John Boehner of Ohio lambasted Emanuel’s designation as blatant, indefensible partisanship. Radio and television talks shows hosts speculated in excruciating detail about what it means while the Dow Jones industrial average fell almost 1,000 points in the two days after the election and unemployment numbers soared to 6.5 percent nationally.
The political punditry slices at every possible angle from political appointees to who chose Michelle Obama’s dress on Election Night. That’s not going to change. They need some wood to stoke the flames of the fire that create ratings. Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh called Obama and Emanuel “Chicago thugs.”
It is ironic the Republican Party that created the eight-year George W. Bush administration _ which brought you cuddly teddy bears like former deputy chief of staff Karl Rove, vice president Dick Cheney and former House Majority Tom DeLay of Texas _ is fulminating about Emanuel on day one because he might be mean.
Emanuel has a reputation as a tough, persistent legislator who has risen up the Democratic party ranks. Like all legislators, he’s crossed swords with others and has his share of fiery anecdotes.
With such decisive, urgent action needed in Washington, give him the benefit of doubt and wait to see what he does rather than dancing on the head of a pin on what he or others MIGHT do.
Political junkies love to boil the tea leaves to examine what every minute detail might mean. Sarah Palin for 2012? Let’s all take a breath and get a grasp on the sobering reality of the state and future fate of America.
Polarizing partisanship might generate a sound bite for the cable news networks or the local TV station back home. But it’s debilitating when the banter then inhibits legislators’ ability to act to solve actual problems.
Congress, which increased its control among Democrats on Tuesday, will tackle another economic stimulus plan this fall. Missouri Governor-elect Jay Nixon must work with a Republican-controlled Legislature. Many candidates campaigned about reaching across the aisle to solve problems.
Election Day has ended. Let’s get on with the business of governance. Let’s not worry about whether Rahm Emanuel smiles at the breakfast table or says please. Let’s judge the policymakers in Washington, D.C. and Jefferson City on what they do or fail to do during a historical epoch.
They don’t have to like one another to govern across the aisle and solve problems. The stakes are too high and too urgent right now. It’s time for some true statesmanship.
Gilbert Bailon has been editor of the P-D editorial pages since November 2007. Previously, he worked as a reporter, editor and executive editor for The Dallas Morning News and its daily Spanish-language newspaper, Al Dia. He still harbors a passion for all things Tex-Mex: food, music, language, boots and border culture. And yes he has found some of that in the Midwest. 
Mr. Bailon, can we take that to mean the Post-Dispatch will forego its highly partisan editorial propaganda in favor of a balanced airing of all perspectives?
Will the PD suddenly become as indignant about the factual invasion of Joe the Plumber’s privacy as you are about potential abuse of surveillance of overseas phone contacts with our enemy’s?
Will you suddenly show the same concern about the victims and survivors as your do for death row murderers? Will you start to champion the first and second amendment rights of talk radio and sportsmen or continue to interpret the Constitution based upon your “progressive” agenda? Will you now begin considering individual liberty as an element of “the common good?”
Or is the path “across the aisle” still a one way street to the left and to be travelled only in support of expanded government and social engineering? America is watching. Will the Post begin the healing or subject any legitimate disent to the usual arrogant damnation from the government worshipers’ bible?
This was a GREAT choice! This is a very strong man who is more than capable of the job, he will be very, very good because he shares the same vision as Obama on most things.
It also shows that Obama’s intentions are to be FAIR MINDED and considerate of ALL causes and issues including Israel. By the way, Rahm Emanuel is very “PRO-ISRAEL” VERY JEWISH and DEMOCRAT! Obama will do good and right by ALL because he is an honorable man.
The CORRUPTED in heart will have a problem with Obama, whether they are, White, Black, Hispanic, Jewish are other.
Wasn’t it John Boehner’s ilk, the “Conservative Right” who attempted to sway Jewish people away from Obama planting seeds of distortions about Obama being an anti-Semitic and didn’t care about Israel? Such divisive distorters this John Boehner and his ilk (Conservative Right) group and should not and cannot be trusted by ANYONE, NOT EVEN THEIR OWN CAN TRUST ONE ANOTHER!
…”Obama’s intentions are to be FAIR MINDED and considerate of ALL causes and issues…”
Walker, does that statement indicate that fair minded Obama will defend the employee right to secret ballot in unionization elections? Will he protect the Second Amendment rights of innocent citizens? Will Obama stand up for the First Amendment and use the veto when congress passes another (un)Fairness Doctrine? Will he support parents’ rights when the attacks on home schooling begin? Will he be considerate of the taxpayers when tempted by new federal spending or renewal of past failed programs?
All of the above remains to be seen; but we will be watching for that fair minded and considerate leadership.
D., please show the love. Now that Obama has been elected, I thought we were all supposed to show love and compassion. Let’s not look at Boehner’s past, afterall, didn’t we learn from this election that a person’s past was unimportant? I’m truly surprised at what I perceive is a lot of anger from you.
Obama’s election should have cured you and everyone of their anger. Give peace a chance D. Embrace the “change”. I believe Rahm has promised not to send another fish in the mail and, even more telling of his change, has promised not to pinch people so hard it hurts (yep, he does that a lot). I see a new glow about him since Obama was elected.
A#, actually I think the Fairness Doctrine may be a good thing for conservatives. The PD will have to have an even balance of conservative and liberal contributors, which means that some people will have to be laid off-Mink? McClellan? Perhaps Maureen Dowd may have to be removed in favor of Thomas Sowell? ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR, CNN, and MSNBC will all have to have conservative commentators and news anchors. While 97.1 FM talk will have to include people like Colmes, KHits will have to have someone like Hannity on. Madonna will have to perform with a country-western singer. Yep, we could see a much more balance media. Even the Webster/Kirkwood Times will have to have an even balance of editorials. I think it’s a win/win situation.
Good point, Logic. I guess I just can’t get over my libertarian leanings and skepticism of the federal corruption castles. Have a wonderful weekend, all.
I think the first office Obama needs to fill is the Secretary of Grammar. Listen to his speech today.
He is going to get “a international” effort, (not an)
He expects there will be dialogue between “myself and President Bush”
President Bush invited “Michelle and I” to the White House.
This is really embarressing. Kids are going to hear this and think it is right.
I just heard the Obama has selected Governor Granholm and Rep. Bonior from Michigan for his economic advisory panel. hahahahaha! Gov. Granholm has been a disaster for Michigan and has been in charge of one of the worst economic meltdowns in Michigan’s history. With an unemployment rate at 8.7%, she actually raised personal income taxes by 17%.
As for Bonior, he has ousted Mayor Kwame Fitzpatrick’s name on his speed dial.
Yep..CHANGE is in the air..and it isn’t smelling pretty. I’ll not judge the policymakers…but will begin holding my nose.
jjk, let’s see if he gets the type of grief Bush did over his “nuculer” pronounciation.
I think there should also be a Secretary of Gaffes to assist Biden, preferably one that is clean and articulate.
Mr. B - spoken like a true PD progressive. BTW - that’s “Rush” Limbaugh and apparently you don’t listen to him. May I suggest that you start if you intend to get any truth about the Obamanation.
A# - well said - I plan to copy Mr. B’s words so when the Editorial Page starts writing its dishonest editorials about the Obamanation, I can use his words.
As for the Fairness Doctrine - you are all wrong - it will only apply to radio airwaves for some strange reason having to do with being owned by the government - isn’t that an odd coincidence. The newspaper editorial pages as private entities will therefore continue to be allowed to have solely progressive points of view on their editorial pages.
D Walker - I couldn’t be happier for you and all Democrats and the African-American community about Obama’s win. I am grateful for him saving the future of the Republican Party.