My media hero is Chris Matthews, whom I recently lauded for standing up to and outing Donald Trump in regards to his mean-spirited position that, if abortions were made illegal in this country, women should be punished for having the procedure done. Matthews’ hardball journalism spelled the beginning of the end for the straw-haired demagogue and bully.
But it was another offhanded comment Matthews made a few weeks prior that has stuck with me. He suggested that if Clinton wins her party’s nomination she should consider John Kasich as a running mate. Now that would really shake up American politics — and to my mind, for the better.
What the foresighted Matthews was saying is that in this time of extreme political turmoil among both Democrats and Republicans, now might just be the most propitious moment in American political history to bring the country together, rather than allowing the rift between the right and left to turn into a chasm that cannot be breeched. Washington is on the verge of perpetual, permanent gridlock, which will prove ruinous to the country.
But now just might be the time, as both political parties realign (similar to what happened in the ’60s), for us to put the divisive, media-driven “Red State, Blue State” view of politics aside and realize that we are all Americans, and all want what’s best for the country. And a president from one party and a vice-president from the other just might be the way to start a political healing process that reduces petty bickering and reintroduces the art and craft of statesmanship back into our political discourse.
However, I’d like to improve on Matthews’ suggestion by offering up another Ohioan: Senator Rob Portman, who would be easier for Democrats to swallow and probably would make a better vice-president that Kasich. His moderate stances on issues of import and his reasoned, middle-of-the-road positions would make him the ideal candidate for a Republican running mate for Clinton.
Now I can already hear the howls of indignation from the left: Die-hard Democrats will point out every one of Portman’s political warts — and for each and every one of them I can point out defects just as glaring on both Democratic candidates for the presidency. There are no perfect politicians, just like there are no perfect people.
Hillary was for the Iraqi war and is for capital punishment; Bernie voted to deny the victims of gun violence the right to sue weapons manufacturers. And on and on we go with the finger-pointing, while the Republic sinks deeper and deeper into a morass — a political quicksand — that we might not be able to pull ourselves out of, American hubris, jingoism and supposed exceptionalism aside.
Trump’s frightening rise, coupled with Bernie’s amazing momentum, clearly demonstrates that a goodly percentage of the American electorate is alternately angry, disillusioned or just plain pissed off. Any country that has this large of a cohort of disaffected citizens is headed for trouble long-term.
And I can guarantee you this: Every other republic in history that rotted out from the inside didn’t see it coming, just like we’re blind to our failings; otherwise they would have made moves to prevent their slide down the slippery slope of history. It’s past time for us as Americans to make the necessary political adjustments to assure that history doesn’t once again repeat itself.
As a nation we are faced with an extraordinary political challenge at this juncture in our history, perhaps the most troubling that we’ve faced since the Great Depression. However, conversely, we’re also faced with an extraordinary political opportunity. The question is, can we grow past party affiliation and for once do what’s right for America?
Chris Matthews was right, you know, but the question is, are our political leaders smart enough to realize just how much sense his suggestion makes, and can the Democratic Party summons the courage to act on it?
From Cool Cleveland correspondent Mansfield B. Frazier mansfieldfATgmail.com. Frazier’s From Behind The Wall: Commentary on Crime, Punishment, Race and the Underclass by a Prison Inmate is available again in hardback. Snag your copy and have it signed by the author by visiting http://NeighborhoodSolutionsInc.com.
2 Responses to “MANSFIELD: A New Day in American Politics?”
DAVID SCHAUWEKER
I am retired and am 72 years old.
I am not a Bernie enthusiast, but Hillary is a relic of the 90’s and her and her husband have outdated mindsets and defend failed policies and a failed vision. Kasich and Portman even more so. Kasich was basically born 75 years too late.
As for helping unite the country, Kasich or Portman as Vice President would be symbolic window-dressing at best, as the office is largely ceremonial.
I suspect Hillary has enough intelligence to nominate a young progressive as her running mate, because there sure isn’t much enthusiasm being generated over her candidacy.
DAVID SCHAUWEKER
Oh, and I missed the most obvious point – Portman and Kasich hold current political office as Republicans. They are not going to switch parties and run as Democrats. The whole idea is just too whacky.