Some months ago in a column on American disunion, I invoked the question Rodney King made famous 19 years ago: “Can we all get along?” One of my conservative readers answered in a word: No. It is with that response in mind that I write to applaud you for embracing an idea floated by Colorado Sen. Mark Udall. It’s a simple thing, really: Instead of the divided seating that usually marks these affairs — Democrats over here, Republicans over there — he wants members of both parties to mix together when President Obama delivers his State of the Union address Tuesday. Of course, it says something about the state of the union that this proposal is even needed. But the idea is a good one and I hope all of you support it. It is true some might write it off as symbolism. It is also true that symbolism matters.
In the wake of the tragedy in Tucson, and in recognition of the need for a more civil public discourse, some members of Congress will be doing something a little bit different tonight. The President’s State of the Union address normally sees both parties seated on opposite sides of the aisle. At regular intervals during the speech, the members from the President’s party stand up and offer hearty applause while the loyal opposition remain seated and look as if they just ate a bad burrito. It’s as predictable as it is traditional, and while it doesn’t make for good political theater, at least someone’s cheering for something.
Tonight, though, in a gesture of common purpose and unity unthinkable even a month ago, some members will be sitting with their ideological doppelgangers. It’s a nice gesture, and perhaps ultimately only a gesture, but could you have seen this sort of thing happening a month ago? It would be easy to see this symbolic unity as a one-off, but it IS a step in the right direction. The proof, of course, is in the pudding: will both parties be able to actually get some work done in a spirit of common purpose going forward? Will Republicans continue to value obstruction and define it as “doing the People’s business”? Will they continue to pursue their stated goal of ensuring the Barack Obama is a one-term President? Will Democrats grow some balls and discover that being in the majority means being able to do something positive? Will anything REALLY change?
I’m going to hope for the best, but I’d be lying if I posited the belief that things really will change. I’d like nothing better than to be proved wrong, and I hope I ultimately will be. Having said that, though, I’m going to withhold judgment until Congress demonstrates that the desire to work together extends beyond a State of the Union love-in. Tonight is a start, but until our elected representatives demonstrate a willingness to actually change the tone and tenor of how they conduct business, the jury (for me, at least) will remain out.
Stay tuned….
