Good Advice

An obstinate man does not hold opinions--they hold him.

    - Joseph Butler (1692-1752), English theologian

I've been somewhat disenchanted and dismayed by the insults and disparagement being hurled back and forth by both sides since the election. The fracas seems to have a life of its own, and I have found myself pulling away from it, disappointed that the rifts can't seem to be allowed to heal.

I know those who wished for a Kerry win are disappointed. I know those who were pulling for Bush have breathed a sigh of relief. I know there's a tendency on the one hand to bitch about the loss and on the other to gloat over the victory.

Whatever one's inclination, I think it's time to be done with the emotional rejoinders and get on with trying to make the best of the realities we now face. For supporters of both parties I think this means making an attempt to find common ground and working together to do what's best for the country.

With command of the presidency and majorities in both Houses, the GOP runs the risk of allowing its advantages to overshadow the need for bi-partisanship. Awareness of and sensitivity to the issues that are important to the voters who cast their ballots for Kerry will be critical if we are to have any semblance of unity over the next four years. Is cooperation possible? That remains to be seen.

In the meantime, the Dems need to get their act together so they'll be able to run a viable campaign in 2008. I've seen much advice tossed back and forth about how they might accomplish this. I think the best counsel I've come across appeared in this op-ed by Jonathan Gurwitz at the San Antonio Express-News. Gurwitz suggests, and I agree, that our two-party system depends on the vitality of both parties and that the Democrats have some work to do:

Republicans need you to challenge their assumptions in meaningful ways. Right now, you've priced yourselves out of the marketplace of ideas with shrill attacks on the traditions and beliefs that animate most of our fellow citizens.

He follows through with some specific suggestions for the Democratic leadership:

Lose the hate. Successful politics depends ultimately on optimism about the future, not hostility about the past. Personal animus toward Bush has commandeered your partisan vehicle. When you allow the likes of Michael Moore and Ted Kennedy to take the Democratic wheel, they drive your party off a bridge into political oblivion.

End the arrogance and condescension. The necessary corollary to the accusation that Bush is a moron is that anyone who would vote for Bush is also a moron, particularly conservative churchgoers. Liberal columnists are giving this theme expression. Nowhere is it better displayed than in a Slate magazine article with the subtitle, "The Unteachable Ignorance of the Red States."

Remember that we are all Americans. The best message from either candidate during the entire election came from John Kerry in his concession speech at Faneuil Hall:

"In an American election, there are no losers. Because whether or not our candidates are successful, the next morning, we all wake up as Americans. And that--that is the greatest privilege and the most remarkable good fortune that can come to us on Earth."

Gurwitz closes his piece with a couple of observations:

Dwell on that message as you consider a poll on the Democratic Underground Web site: "Which was more depressing--what happened on 9-11 or what happened the day after Election Day, 2004?" A week after the election, 73 percent incomprehensibly chose 11-3 as more depressing than 9-11.

Start with these basics and they'll lead you to broader truths, such as why 22 of the 27 Democratic congressional candidates supported by the MoveOn PAC went down in defeat.

That's pretty sobering, at least to me it is. Yes, we desperately need a two-party system--now more than ever. My fear is that one will be a long time coming unless some of my liberal friends are willing to face truths they still seem unwilling to face. Hopefully, there are level-headed realists in the Democratic ranks who will step forward, grab the party faithful by the scruff of the neck and convince them to make some hard-nosed, much needed changes before it is too late.

Hat tip to RealClearPolitics for the Gurwitz link.

Update: Syndicated columnist William Raspberry gives us his thoughts about how the healing might begin. Brief registration required. Sorry 'bout that.