Division Street

Tonight I chose to speak from the chamber of the Texas House of Representatives because it has been a home to bipartisan cooperation. Here in a place where Democrats have the majority, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to do what is right for the people we represent....

The spirit of cooperation I have seen in this hall is what is needed in Washington, D.C. It is the challenge of our moment. After a difficult election, we must put politics behind us and work together to make the promise of America available for every one of our citizens.

I am optimistic that we can change the tone in Washington, D.C.

I believe things happen for a reason, and I hope the long wait of the last five weeks will heighten a desire to move beyond the bitterness and partisanship of the recent past.

Our nation must rise above a house divided. Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important than any political disagreements.

Republicans want the best for our nation, and so do Democrats. Our votes may differ, but not our hopes.

I know America wants reconciliation and unity. I know Americans want progress. And we must seize this moment and deliver.
--George W. Bush (victory speech dated Dec. 13, 2000)

....oooops. Poor delivery.

Roughly 800,000 abortion rights protestors were in DC this weekend, along with all the splinter groups raising their fists to the World Bank and IMF. The 800,000 was the most since the Million Man March in 1995 and engulfed the Mall, and bottled necked the streets. Early Saturday, I cycled by battalions of police on motorcycles, bicycles, horses, in cars, SUVs, on street corners, guarding monuments, leaning on light posts, as well as the hundreds behind heavily fortified fences barracading blocks and blocks of downtown and near the World Bank building on Penn. Last night, I saw handfuls of hippies out in Adams Morgan passing out political stickers and getting pissed (to use a favorite English idiom).

This past week, my co-blogger Abe was in Baltimore and we met up for an O's game. A co-worker of his, also a former colleague of mine, and another were also in attendance. We too got pissed, in other ways.

Despite prohibitions against it, we talked politics all night. Two deeply entrenched and opinionated liberals pitted against two staunch, unwavering conservatives produced, as you can imagine, little middle ground and tense arguments. Taxes and, of course, foreign policy were topics of choice and if it were not for the strong desires of one of us to find a late-night CRABCAKES! joint, there surely could've been fistacuffs. Thank God for that beautiful crustacean! (Unfortunately, we had to settle for pizza as there must not be too much of a demand among the locals for crabcakes at 3 a.m.)

The WaPo confirms, with a 3-piece series, what everyone already knows, that we are a deeply politically divided country. A divide known as the Reds versus the Blues that has only got worse since the 2000 election. A divide that will likely play out in a bloody, very close presidential election, come November.

One may be inclined (esp. after reading his incredibly hollow words above) to immediately point fingers at the leadership of our country, beginning at the top with the president and his Administration, for the divided environment of the day. But the Democrats are equally culpable with their harsh and vigorous dissent.

Whatever the case may be, as we watch the sides dig in for the upcoming showdown, one thing's for sure, the November election's going to be one helluva fight----Let the best man win.

And remember, in case it gets too ugly, just bring out the crabcakes, whatever the hour.