I am cautiously optimistic about the bipartisanship of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and President Obama as they combine forces to help the Garden State recover from Hurricane Sandy. Could it be a model for Congress and the White House to work together on fiscal matters and financial regulation—even if it only lasts for the lame duck session?
Regardless what happens in Washington, D.C., it is a remarkable situation.
The ardent Republican Christie, who never minces words, was as forceful in his praise of Obama’s performance after the hurricane as he has been critical of the president’s policies. Christie was quoted in The New York Times yesterday saying about the president, “He has sprung into action immediately.”
After the president and the governor toured the areas destroyed by the hurricane, Christie thanked Obama for his visit: “It’s really important to have the president of the United States acknowledge all the suffering that’s going on here in New Jersey.” Christie was also heartfelt and human in his reactions to the devastation.
Neither Obama nor Christie has sacrificed any beliefs via their encounter and there will be days ahead when they are likely to be on different sides of many issues.
What was new was the sense of civility between them amid a rather bitter presidential campaign. True, it was not a situation that invited acrimony. However, past governors have not shown the president the respect that he and the office he represents deserve. For his part, Obama was not aloof and actually seemed to like Christie.
Both men get it. This time, it’s not about them. The destruction of Hurricane Sandy is unprecedented and many people are still reeling from the losses and havoc. To turn this situation into a mere photo op would be downright despicable.
If Christie and Obama can show that bipartisanship works, then maybe it will be an example for the bloodthirsty crowd in Washington, D.C. But this is where I’m on shaky ground.
The true test of bipartisanship will be in the lame-duck session when Congress and the White House face major agenda items.
To name only the top issues, they have to sort out the “fiscal cliff” mess and its impact upon the general economy; the next stage for several regulatory initiatives including those for the many branches of the financial services industry; and a slew of tax issues for homeowners that will also impact the U.S. recovery.
None of these issues is easy and just one of them would be enough to cause a ruckus.
Yet if Christie and Obama can show that cooperation, compromise and civility can work and can garner widespread public support, then maybe there’s hope that both sides in Washington could dial down the rhetoric and come to some kind of agreement.
The risks to the economy and to our country are so high that if they fail to work together for real results during the lame duck session and throughout 2013, then there will be horrifying consequences for all.
In the meantime, let’s hope that the destruction that Obama and Christie saw firsthand has given them a new perspective on what really matters. Life or death situations have a way of reminding people about what is truly important.
So, while our public officials hammer out a way forward, you can take action by volunteering or contributing to the Red Cross.
Here is a shortened link to Red Cross and its hurricane relief page: http://rdcrss.org/YrXW2b
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