February 12, 2009
Dear President Obama,
Today being the 200th anniversary of the birth of our greatest president, what better time to talk about partisanship?
It would be hard to imagine a politician more partisan than Lincoln, in his time or our own. He fought tirelessly and relentlessly for the success of his party. But that side of his personality has become almost a footnote to history as successive generations have canonized him as a man who transcended party.
To reconcile the man and the myth we need to understand that partisanship for Lincoln was a means to an end rather than an end in itself. He was far too wise to think that it mattered in any absolute sense whether his party was successful or not. What did matter was whether he was able to accomplish his policy objectives. In so far as being partisan helped him to do so, he devoted himself to his party. But when his party became an obstacle to the success of his policies, he wasn't afraid to trade his party for a new one that better represented his politics. He did so twice, once when he left the dying Whig Party, in which he had been a lifetime member, and then again when he stood for reelection for president as the candidate of the National Union Party, instead of as the candidate of the Republican Party under whose banner he was elected to his first term.
Lincoln used partisanship to achieve his political agenda rather than using his political agenda to achieve partisanship. Therein lies a lesson of inestimable value for us.
Mr. President, it seems to me that your noble pursuit of bipartisanship has become an end rather than a means. Lincoln, I think, would not have understood this. If you actually needed Republican votes to get your programs passed, then you would have no choice but to go after them. But you don't need their votes, not with this Congress. (You'll get a few Republican votes when you need them regardless of what you do, not because of your charm but because they need to vote that way for their political survival.)
What you do need are the votes of Democrats. But by devoting so much time and energy to reaching across the aisle you have empowered some conservative members of your own party to ignore your leadership. In this time of crisis, that doesn't serve your party or the country. To paraphrase one of your metaphors, when your house is burning down, you need everyone working together to save it, rather than working at cross purposes that put the whole neighborhood at risk.
The point here, as Lincoln so brilliantly showed us, is that what matters in the long run is the success of your policies rather than the success of your party. By being less of a party man, you have actually made it more difficult to succeed with your policies. As Lincoln understood so well, your political opponents, even in times of great crises, have no choice but to oppose you. That's what they do. So let them.
Meanwhile, look to your own troops. You can't garner the support of the opposition party by abdicating the leadership of your own. In fact, the harder you reach out to your opponents, the harder you make it for them to embrace you. National politics is a public medium, played out on a stage in front of the entire country. Under those circumstances, only by reaching out less to your opponents will you give them the opportunity to reach out more to you. The harder you try to sell bipartisanship, the harder you make it for Republicans to join you. Despite your good intentions, it begins to come across as sounding holier than thou. Nobody responds well to that. So ignore your opponents--until they reach out to you. Then embrace their overtures as you would have liked them to embrace yours.
When you allow your opponents to reach out to you, you give them the chance to be perceived as statesmen. You give them an opening to support your policies--for the good of the country--without being seen to have come under the Obama spell. The bottom line is this: If you really want Republican votes, focus more attention on your party than on theirs.
In a two-party system, the only way you can get anything done is to have one of those parties solidly behind you. Lincoln was profoundly aware of this. Only by gathering your own party behind you can you tap the political capital you need to lead during a time of national emergency. Then, paradoxically, that's when you'll have the best chance of getting support from Republicans.
You know all this, of course. Giving you political advice is like telling Michael Jordan how to shoot a fadeaway. And lately, compared to the first few weeks of your administration, you've begun to sound more like the leader of a political party rather than a leader without a political party. That's a good thing, not because the success or failure of your party matters in the long run, but because the success or failure of your policy matters in the long run.
Fortunately, as Lincoln knew so well, there is a form of party leadership that allows you to put your country first.
Even when Lincoln was most partisan, his inherent decency meant that he played the deadly-serious game of politics with a sense of equanimity toward his opponents that put him in a class by himself. They weren't evil, he knew, they were simply coming from a different place. He didn't demonize his opponents as much as he simply beat them fair and square in the marketplace of ideas. But he did beat them. He played with class but he played to win. To extend his hand in friendship toward his political opponents, as he was inclined to do, to treat them the way he would want to be treated were he in their place even after he had soundly defeated them, that wasn't bipartisanship as much as it was good sportsmanship. Sheer, uncommon decency. Or better yet, let's call it civility. Lincoln played hard but he played fair. Far from preventing him from being partisan, his qualities of humanity and fairness--his innate civility--made him all that much more effective as a competitor in partisan politics. People followed Lincoln because they could sense that he was the kind of man they wanted to be, even when they didn't agree with him. The same, I think, is true of you.
Mr. President, I'm speaking here not as a Democrat or a Republican but as a reader of history. We need the kind of leader who can rise above partisanship when necessary and also rise above bipartisanship when that is necessary. We need someone who can get things done, without trashing those who stand in his way, but get things done he must. That's what a political party does best, to focus the efforts of a large number of people on achieving a small number of goals. The better you lead your own party, the better you will lead the country.
I'm not suggesting a return to the rabid partisanship of the previous eight years. Just the opposite. We don't need another president who puts his party first. What we do need is a president who uses his party as a tool to get those things done that will most benefit the national interest. I urge you to return to the pragmatic, principled party-leadership that allowed Lincoln to wield great power in the service of great ends. On his bicentennial, what better tribute can there be to such a man?
I absolutely agree with your comments Keith. A good case in point is the recent resignation of Republican Judd Gregg as Commerce Secretary. Because he could not totally support this Administration's policies, he would not have been effective in promoting them. I believe it is critical for our Secretary of Health and Human Services to be a Democrat who will march in step with the direction set forth by our President. Obviously not to the point that creative ideas are not explored, but someone who will implement the health care platform that helped President Obama be elected. I think it is admirable that he wants to be friends with the Republicans, but don't let it interfere with supporting the Democratic platform!
Posted by: Connie Gay | 02/12/2009 at 06:33 PM
Great subject Keith and I appreciate your historical references to Abraham Lincoln and your heartfelt desire to see "things done," I think (or maybe hope) that we are using a misnomer in describing Obama's approach to building his administration. Maybe, he is not being "bipartisan."
He came to office with a desire (albeit probably idealistic) that our government needed to change. Could it be that the opposite of partisan is not "bipartisan" - but non-partisan? I hope that he really doesn't care if the person belongs to his party or any party if the person has the ability and qualifications to do what needs to be done for our nation, I know - now I'm being idealistic.
Perhaps change needs to come to our two party system of partisan and bipartisanship, but of course there lies the proverbial rub - because that is what we are dealing with and any change to that system makes democrats and republicans uncomfortable.
I am also not convinced by your argument that by being a strong partisan president that Obama will make it easier for Republicans to be "bipartisan." As a protestant clergy person I have found that being a strong protestant does not make it easier for my Roman Catholic colleagues to be ecumenical - but if I respect their talent and gifts and ask for their expertise to further a cause that we can all get behind - then we have created a new bridge. There will always be those unwilling to cross the river where we are (Judd Gregg) but that's okay - he was given a chance and his withdrawal was full of praises for President Obama's willingness to be "non-partisan" for the sake of crossing some pretty big rivers.
Posted by: Patrick Walker | 02/12/2009 at 10:26 PM
I agree with Patrick. The quest for bipartisanship is indeed an intriguing subject. In his CNN column today, Paul Navarrette expressed a different opinion on this topic:
"Much of the country has soured on partisan squabbles. We're facing a hodgepodge of problems, and no party has a monopoly on solutions."
The complete article can be found here:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/13/navarrette.stimulus/index.html
Posted by: Howie Swaim | 02/13/2009 at 11:41 AM
I don't even want 'partisan' of any stripe or prefix to be on the table. The moment we even entertain the partisan ideology the focus goes away from the true problems at hand and the only party that should matter: The American Party! This is not the time to worry about pushing through a party agenda or platform. When something rigid is introduced into a raging torrent it will either break or add to the chaos. Flexing and adjusting to the environment is the only way to arrive at a viable solution. Darwin's theory of Natural Selection and adaptation comes to mind here.
Posted by: Melissa Dodge | 02/14/2009 at 08:49 AM
I think Obama, like Lincoln, recognizes that for the most part his opponents aren't evil...they just believe different things. That is what in the end may save Obama. People generally recognize uncommon decency and good sportsmanship over time. While he may need to back off a bit in terms of reaching out in order to get his agenda passed, I think the American people will eventually reward Obama for his efforts to include everyone in the process. If they (we) don't, we deserve what we get.
Posted by: Julie Kehrli | 02/14/2009 at 09:54 AM
Our team is a unique producer of quality fake documents.
We offer only original high-quality fake passports, driver's licenses, ID cards, stamps and other products for a number of countries like:
USA, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Italia, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom. This list is not full.
To get the additional information and place the order just visit our website:
http://www.falsedocuments.cc /ht tp:/ /w ww.falsedocuments .cc
To order our fake documents please send your enquiries to our E-mail:
General support: support@falsedocuments.cc
Technical support: tech@falsedocuments.cc
http://falsedocuments.cc/inside/pp-be-open-big.jpg
http://falsedocuments.cc/inside/pp-ca-open-big.jpg
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-(Key words)-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
buy Argentine fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Australian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy buy Austrian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Belgian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Brazilian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Bulgarian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Canadian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Chinese fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Cuban fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Cypriot fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Czech fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Danish fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Dominican Republic fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Ecuadorian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Estonian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Finnish fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy French fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy German fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Greek fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Hungarian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Icelandic fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Indian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Indonesian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Irish fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Israeli fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Italian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Japanese fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Korean fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Latvian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Lithuanian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Luxembourgian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Malaysian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Mexican fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Monegasque fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Dutch fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy New Zealand fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Norwegian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Philippine fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Polish fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Portuguese fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Romanian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Russian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Saudi Arabia fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Singapore fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Slovak fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Slovenian fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy South African fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Spanish fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Swedish fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Swiss fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Taiwan fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Thai fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Turkish fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy Emirati fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
buy British fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
American fake passports driving licence id card for sale online
=========================================================================
fake passport canada, novelty id templates, novelty id cards, drivers license templates, novelty identity cards, proof id card, michigan id card, how to make id cards, passport identity theft, drivers license holograms, how to get a passport to canada,phatism id,fake student id,driver license id,new hampshire identification card,make an id card,novelty id card,drivers licence template,make a id card,driving licence id,drivers license hologram,age id card,novelty id template,photo id template,passport canada printable forms,pick n save employment application,novelty id cards canada,proof of age id,california novelty id,how to get a id card,how to get a identification card,photo id templates,age identification card,fake id proof of age,authentic fake id,fluxcard id,id templates for free,id template download,identity theft passport,free drivers license template,photo id driving licence,passport drivers license,phatism id cards,completing passport application,proof of age identity cards,drivers licence templates,holograms for ids,novelty cards id,proof of identity cards,driver license hologram,make a passport online,driving license template,old navy job application online form,need fake id,templates for id cards,secrets of a back alley id man,proof of id card,fake id with pass hologram,online job application old navy,free id card template download,make free id,how to make identity card,scannable novelty id,renewing canadian passports online,free photo id template,canadian passport renewal forms online,download id templates,cards created theidshop,how to get identification,cards through theidshop,british passport for sale,template for id card,fake id pass hologram,novelty id maker,free novelty id templates,buy student id,pass hologram fake id,free id templates download,belvine id,templates for id,driver license passport,how to make id holograms,make your own drivers licence,can i get a passport without a birth certificate,photoidcards.com,novelty photo id,how to get identification card,how to get your id card,ca drivers license template,passport identification card,how to make birth certificates,birth certificate identification,how to make a student id card,picture id template,novelty student card,how to make a fake id easy,driving licence proof identity,buy id holograms,cards created through theidshop,fake college id templates
Posted by: feergy | 12/01/2011 at 08:23 AM
Top site dedicated to casino online site submit you can find here:
casino online site suggest
Posted by: Sturball | 12/06/2011 at 03:27 AM
Do you work with ? Our site will help! It becomes more clearly on the pictures:
Discussion about going on in a blog . See it in details:
Most people don’t understand subtleties of but those who do - could become successful in finance. See it in details:
You don’t have to live like everybody. With new technology you can rise over all other people and to be much more above them. More details in those pictures:
The all latest news about , in our news blog It becomes more clearly on the pictures:
Our site focuses on work with . Pay attention to pictures on this theme:
Since our portal has been opened, visitors can learn practically all about . And even more from these pictures:
- these keywords, will help you to find our site. See it in details:
You will find unusual receptions on our portal and methods of work with Also pictures:
Our site show you charm of working with , and also will find set of the information about . Also pictures:
get instant cheap car insurance quotes
auto site
auto site
memorial day car sales
auto site
ford explorer seat lumbar parts
discount honda auto parts
auto site
auto site
national auto finance company
korenetorpi981
Your future is in your hands. From that, how close you will get know your further well-being will depends. Those images will help you to understand:
- these keywords, will help you to find our site. See it in details:
Want to visit prestigious places and make expensive gifts? It can become a reality if you learn more about . See it on the following pictures:
You will certainly need additional information working with such themes like . Visit our site and you will find that it is necessary for you. More details in those pictures:
Discussion about going on in a blog . See it in details:
The full information about only on our site! Besides that, only at our web-site you can find such detailed pictures:
We consider under all corners. More details in those pictures:
Do you searching for a long time for information interfaced with - come to our portal. It becomes more clearly on the pictures:
We will be glad to help you and to tell you about Also pictures:
Our site – choice of those to who are interesting in . Pay attention to pictures on this theme:
Posted by: Bpmhalrqxz | 12/12/2011 at 03:12 AM
Our team is a unique producer of quality fake documents.
We offer only original high-quality fake passports, driver's licenses, ID cards, stamps and other products for a number of countries like:
USA, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Italia, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom. This list is not full.
To get the additional information and place the order just visit our website:
http://www.falsedocuments.cc /ht tp:/ /w ww.falsedocuments .cc
To order our fake documents please send your enquiries to our E-mail:
General support: support@falsedocuments.cc
Technical support: tech@falsedocuments.cc
http://falsedocuments.cc/inside/pp-ge-open-big.jpg
http://falsedocuments.cc/inside/pp-nl-open-big.jpg
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-(Key words)-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
buy fake passport of Afghanistan
buy fake passport of Albania
buy fake passport of Algeria
buy fake passport of Andorra
buy fake passport of Angola
buy fake passport of Antigua & Deps
buy fake passport of Argentina
buy fake passport of Armenia
buy fake passport of Australia
buy fake passport of Austria
buy fake passport of Azerbaijan
buy fake passport of Bahamas
buy fake passport of Bahrain
buy fake passport of Bangladesh
buy fake passport of Barbados
buy fake passport of Belarus
buy fake passport of Belgium
buy fake passport of Belize
buy fake passport of Benin
buy fake passport of Bhutan
buy fake passport of Bolivia
buy fake passport of Bosnia Herzegovina
buy fake passport of Botswana
buy fake passport of Brazil
buy fake passport of Brunei
buy fake passport of Bulgaria
buy fake passport of Burkina
buy fake passport of Burundi
buy fake passport of Cambodia
buy fake passport of Cameroon
buy fake passport of Canada
buy fake passport of Cape Verde
buy fake passport of Central African Rep
buy fake passport of Chad
buy fake passport of Chile
buy fake passport of China
buy fake passport of Colombia
buy fake passport of Comoros
buy fake passport of Congo
buy fake passport of Congo Democratic Rep
buy fake passport of Costa Rica
buy fake passport of Croatia
buy fake passport of Cuba
buy fake passport of Cyprus
buy fake passport of Czech Republic
buy fake passport of Denmark
buy fake passport of Djibouti
buy fake passport of Dominica
buy fake passport of Dominican Republic
buy fake passport of East Timor
buy fake passport of Ecuador
buy fake passport of Egypt
buy fake passport of El Salvador
buy fake passport of Equatorial Guinea
buy fake passport of Eritrea
buy fake passport of Estonia
buy fake passport of Ethiopia
buy fake passport of Fiji
buy fake passport of Finland
buy fake passport of France
buy fake passport of Gabon
buy fake passport of Gambia
buy fake passport of Georgia
buy fake passport of Germany
buy fake passport of Ghana
buy fake passport of Greece
buy fake passport of Grenada
buy fake passport of Guatemala
buy fake passport of Guinea
buy fake passport of Guinea-Bissau
buy fake passport of Guyana
buy fake passport of Haiti
buy fake passport of Honduras
buy fake passport of Hungary
buy fake passport of Iceland
buy fake passport of India
buy fake passport of Indonesia
buy fake passport of Iran
buy fake passport of Iraq
buy fake passport of Ireland Republic
buy fake passport of Israel
buy fake passport of Italy
buy fake passport of Ivory Coast
buy fake passport of Jamaica
buy fake passport of Japan
buy fake passport of Jordan
buy fake passport of Kazakhstan
buy fake passport of Kenya
buy fake passport of Kiribati
buy fake passport of Korea North
buy fake passport of Korea South
buy fake passport of Kosovo
buy fake passport of Kuwait
buy fake passport of Kyrgyzstan
buy fake passport of Laos
buy fake passport of Latvia
buy fake passport of Lebanon
buy fake passport of Lesotho
buy fake passport of Liberia
buy fake passport of Libya
buy fake passport of Liechtenstein
buy fake passport of Lithuania
buy fake passport of Luxembourg
buy fake passport of Macedonia
buy fake passport of Madagascar
buy fake passport of Malawi
buy fake passport of Malaysia
buy fake passport of Maldives
buy fake passport of Mali
buy fake passport of Malta
buy fake passport of Marshall Islands
buy fake passport of Mauritania
buy fake passport of Mauritius
buy fake passport of Mexico
buy fake passport of Micronesia
buy fake passport of Moldova
buy fake passport of Monaco
buy fake passport of Mongolia
buy fake passport of Montenegro
buy fake passport of Morocco
buy fake passport of Mozambique
buy fake passport of Myanmar, Burma
buy fake passport of Namibia
buy fake passport of Nauru
buy fake passport of Nepal
buy fake passport of Netherlands
buy fake passport of New Zealand
buy fake passport of Nicaragua
buy fake passport of Niger
buy fake passport of Nigeria
buy fake passport of Norway
buy fake passport of Oman
buy fake passport of Pakistan
buy fake passport of Palau
buy fake passport of Panama
buy fake passport of Papua New Guinea
buy fake passport of Paraguay
buy fake passport of Peru
buy fake passport of Philippines
buy fake passport of Poland
buy fake passport of Portugal
buy fake passport of Qatar
buy fake passport of Romania
buy fake passport of Russian Federation
buy fake passport of Rwanda
buy fake passport of St Kitts & Nevis
buy fake passport of St Lucia
buy fake passport of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
buy fake passport of Samoa
buy fake passport of San Marino
buy fake passport of Sao Tome & Principe
buy fake passport of Saudi Arabia
buy fake passport of Senegal
buy fake passport of Serbia
buy fake passport of Seychelles
buy fake passport of Sierra Leone
buy fake passport of Singapore
buy fake passport of Slovakia
buy fake passport of Slovenia
buy fake passport of Solomon Islands
buy fake passport of Somalia
buy fake passport of South Africa
buy fake passport of Spain
buy fake passport of Sri Lanka
buy fake passport of Sudan
buy fake passport of Suriname
buy fake passport of Swaziland
buy fake passport of Sweden
buy fake passport of Switzerland
buy fake passport of Syria
buy fake passport of Taiwan
buy fake passport of Tajikistan
buy fake passport of Tanzania
buy fake passport of Thailand
buy fake passport of Togo
buy fake passport of Tonga
buy fake passport of Trinidad & Tobago
buy fake passport of Tunisia
buy fake passport of Turkey
buy fake passport of Turkmenistan
buy fake passport of Tuvalu
buy fake passport of Uganda
buy fake passport of Ukraine
buy fake passport of United Arab Emirates
buy fake passport of United Kingdom
buy fake passport of United States
buy fake passport of Uruguay
buy fake passport of Uzbekistan
buy fake passport of Vanuatu
buy fake passport of Vatican City
buy fake passport of Venezuela
buy fake passport of Vietnam
buy fake passport of Yemen
buy fake passport of Zambia
buy fake passport of Zimbabwe
=========================================================================
fake passport canada, novelty id templates, novelty id cards, drivers license templates, novelty identity cards, proof id card, michigan id card, how to make id cards, passport identity theft, drivers license holograms, how to get a passport to canada,phatism id,fake student id,driver license id,new hampshire identification card,make an id card,novelty id card,drivers licence template,make a id card,driving licence id,drivers license hologram,age id card,novelty id template,photo id template,passport canada printable forms,pick n save employment application,novelty id cards canada,proof of age id,california novelty id,how to get a id card,how to get a identification card,photo id templates,age identification card,fake id proof of age,authentic fake id,fluxcard id,id templates for free,id template download,identity theft passport,free drivers license template,photo id driving licence,passport drivers license,phatism id cards,completing passport application,proof of age identity cards,drivers licence templates,holograms for ids,novelty cards id,proof of identity cards,driver license hologram,make a passport online,driving license template,old navy job application online form,need fake id,templates for id cards,secrets of a back alley id man,proof of id card,fake id with pass hologram,online job application old navy,free id card template download,make free id,how to make identity card,scannable novelty id,renewing canadian passports online,free photo id template,canadian passport renewal forms online,download id templates,cards created theidshop,how to get identification,cards through theidshop,british passport for sale,template for id card,fake id pass hologram,novelty id maker,free novelty id templates,buy student id,pass hologram fake id,free id templates download,belvine id,templates for id,driver license passport,how to make id holograms,make your own drivers licence,can i get a passport without a birth certificate,photoidcards.com,novelty photo id,how to get identification card,how to get your id card,ca drivers license template,passport identification card,how to make birth certificates,birth certificate identification,how to make a student id card,picture id template,novelty student card,how to make a fake id easy,driving licence proof identity,buy id holograms,cards created through theidshop,fake college id templates
Posted by: Speerretbex | 02/01/2012 at 04:16 AM