As the campaign focus shifts from Iowa to New Hampshire, an event that could have an even bigger impact on the 2008 presidential race will be taking place Monday in Norman, Okla.
There, an impressive lineup of well-known moderates from both major political parties will gather to begin work on a national consensus agenda. The bipartisan meeting, hosted by University of Oklahoma President and former Democratic Sen. David Boren, is an intriguing response to the current hyperpartisanship that has made it all but impossible for the federal government to deal effectively with today’s most vexing problems, both domestic and international.
The idea, according to Boren and former Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, another organizer, is to encourage both parties’ eventual presidential nominees to embrace a bold commitment to getting past today’s polarization and pulling the country together. And if that doesn’t work, they might just turn to one of the meeting’s attendees — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who some believe is considering launching an independent presidential bid. A billionaire many times over, Bloomberg has the money it would take to make such a venture viable.
The meeting’s organizers, while insisting that’s not their goal, could put considerable political weight behind an independent bid. Among the Republican organizers are Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, former party chairman Bill Brock, former Sen. John Danforth of Missouri and former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman. Besides Boren and Nunn, Democratic conveners include former Sen. Charles Robb of Virginia and former presidential candidate Gary Hart.
The importance of the group’s mission is spelled out in an invitation letter sent by Boren and Nunn:
“Today, we are a house divided. We believe that the next president must be able to call for a unity of effort by choosing the best talent available — without regard to political party — to help lead our nation.”
That could be the antidote for today’s poisoned atmosphere in nation’s capital. Far from acting as the uniter he promised to be, President Bush has arrogantly driven divisions ever deeper. Petty, partisan potshots from Democrats like Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, have only made matters worse.
The result: rather than seeking consensus solutions to terrorism, immigration, health care, and the impending funding crises in Medicare and Social Security, each side blocks the other and nothing is accomplished.
Solutions won’t come from just one side. This effort to forge a consensus agenda is timely and welcome.
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