Here’s what I mean: It’s time to govern and to put forward a positive pro growth, forward leaning agenda for the American people. Congressional Republicans can no longer only blame the president or Senate Democrats of being obstructionists. They own Capitol Hill now and although it’s very conceivable that the president is not going to sign every bill the Republican controlled legislature passes, there is an expectation that they work together. And there’s precedent for this: During the second term of a Clinton presidency, then Speaker Gingrich and Leader Bob Dole worked with the White House on legislation that was both bipartisan and drama free. The system forced the two parties to work together.
These actions on both sides are so petty to write and unfortunate to say, but the sentiment is true: Both sides must put aside their personal differences for the sake of the country. It sounds easy, but as we have seen it’s much harder to do.
Speaker John Boehner and Leader McConnell have a unique moment to position the Congress into an institution of doing. To do something about the outdated tax code, to tackle the economy that has left many Americans frustrated by the lack of economic opportunity, and feeling “stuck” in the system. The two leaders can and must tackle the Keystone Pipeline, a construction project that would add about 43,000 construction jobs to the economy — a construction project that has broad support from the Democratic unions, by the way — and the leaders can push through other pieces of legislation that are pro growth and bipartisan.
These simple measures can and will restore trust in the American system of government and faith in the two party system. It will also create a helpful dialogue in this country that yes, the system works, and it can despite all of its imperfections generate the best of what serving in politics is all about.
The cynics and the skeptics all have said that nothing will get done during the remainder of the president’s term. That may be true, but for the sake of the country, I sure hope that’s not the case. Speaker Boehner and Leader McConnell have a real moment in time to achieve extraordinary things and to prove the naysayers wrong. Come January 2015, let’s give them a chance to strut their stuff and let’s also give the president one last chance to prove that he’s up to the job as well.
Robert Traynham is a political veteran and communications expert, advisor, consultant, as well as analyst and contributor to cable TV, radio, and print media outlets. Follow him on Twitter @roberttraynham.
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