Now, Politico describes statements from both parties, about plans to pursue ethics investigations against whichever candidate eventually prevails.
Certainly, no politician should be above the law, and legitimate charges of ethics violations should be thoroughly investigated. But if the electorate perceives both parties to be preparing to exact revenge if they lose, that will probably exacerbate the "pox on both your houses" attitude that many voters hold toward the parties.
I think we need more of the spirit expressed in Al Gore's remarkable concession speech in 2000, when he said:
This has been an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseen paths, this belatedly broken impasse can point us all to a new common ground, for its very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one people with a shared history and a shared destiny.
5 comments:
I keep waiting to hear from all of the Bush supporters during the 2000 election debacle who kept clamoring for an end to the endless wrangling in the Florida state court system. Why are they so patient with the Minnesota court system?
Were Democrats as impatient in 2000 as they are now?
In 2000, I would not characterize either side as patient. Republicans were impatient that the election could not simply be closed and completed, and Democrats were impatient that they were prevented from completing the Florida recount. The situation in Minnestota seems a little different. The Democrats benefited from the recount, and would like the court process concluded expeditiously. The Republicans seem to be interested in dragging out the court process as long as possible regardless of their chances of ultimate success.
My point (which, admittedly, can't be proved one way or the other) is that, if the shoe were on the other foot, Democrats would probably be saying the same things that Republicans are now.
But I understand why those who are inclined to be Republican-bashers anyway, will take advantage of this opportunity.
Senator Gore's decision was the right one given the circumstances (and the eventual results of the recount).
The actions taken by both the Democrat and Republican candidates is the right one given the current circumstances.
The Republic is not suffering from having only 49 Senators as evidenced by the mischief that continues to flow from DC.
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