Bush Urges Bipartisan Cooperation Among Political Leaders
President Bush today called on political leaders to put Tuesday’s midterm elections “behind us” and to “rise above partisan differences,” as he urged Congress to complete work on federal spending bills and other priorities in a final legislative session. Appearing with members of his Cabinet assembled behind him on the White House steps, Bush told reporters in the Rose Garden after a Cabinet meeting that he and other top administration officials “respect the results” of the elections, which gave Democrats control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as most of the nation’s governorships.
Have you noticed that the latest buzzword emanating from the White House seems to be “bipartisanship”? Have you also noticed that “bipartisanship” was banished from the Republican lexicon when the GOP ruled Washington unchecked? And does anyone else find this new Republican buzzword as horribly cynical and self-interested as I do?
When Republicans ruled Washington, no self-respecting Conservative could have defined “bipartisanship” if their life depended on it. It was “my way or the highway”… F—k y’all, we’re in charge, and if you didn’t fall into line behind the Republican majority, you could pretty much count on being steamrolled- or worse, being ignored altogether. If you were a Democrat, you simply didn’t exist. My, how things have changed, eh??
Now that Republicans have lost control of Congress, they’re heavily into “bipartisanship”…GOP code for making certain that their interests aren’t completely overlooked. If Democrats are smart…and gracious…they will let bygones be bygones. Even so, you can bet that there will be more than a few Democrats ready, willing, and able to give Republicans a taste of their own medicine. (NOW can we impeach Our Glorious and Benevolent Leader??)
Some of us still believe in Tip O’Neill’s characterization of politics as “the art of the possible”. What Republicans have ignored for the past 6 years (12 if you want to be honest about things) is that “possible” doesn’t mean whatever you can cram down the throats who don’t share your narrow, ignorant, xenophobic, fear-based ideology.
Personally, I want Republicans to be marginalized. I want them to wander in the political wilderness for a few years. so they can recognize what their arrogance and greed have accomplished over the past few years. Realistically, I recognize that that sort of vindictiveness will accomplish nothing constructive. Perhaps if Democrats can demonstrate the value of compromise and respecting “the art of the possible”, it might set the stage for years of continued Democratic success.
Revenge may be a dish best served cold, and it may be sweet, but in the end it will not advance Democratic or American interests. Things needs to be done differently in Washington, but that doesn’t mean we have to cave in to Our Glorious and Benevolent Leader’s brand of “bipartisanship”. No, from here on, Democrats will not need to be dancing to his tune. It’s time for him to put on his dancing shoes.
