Two moderate GOP senators leaving the upper chamber at the end of this term are joining the National Institute for Civil Discourse.
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) decided not to run for re-election, and Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) was defeated in the GOP primary.
The nonpartisan center for debate, research, education and policy about civility in public discourse was created at the University of Arizona in February 2011, in the aftermath of the Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) shooting.
The honorary chairman are former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. The honorary co-chairs are former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
Board members include Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, Bill Richardon, Alan Simpson, Greta van Susteren, and Giffords.
“The goals of the Institute parallel my long-held belief that only by finding common ground can we achieve the results for the common good,” Snowe said.
“I am excited to join the distinguished members of the Board of the National Institute for Civil Discourse. The American people want constructive dialogue from their leaders and recognize the dangers to American unity that are inherent in unrelenting partisanship,” Lugar said. “The NICD shares my conviction that problem solving and good governance depend greatly on the civility of our public discourse and the reinvigoration of bipartisanship in American politics.”
“Both senators have dedicated their careers to working across the aisle to reach bipartisan solutions to our nations’ problems,” Daschle said. “Their strong voices calling for a return to civility in our political discourse will enhance NICD’s ability to accomplish its mission.”
“Obey the Establishment. We know best. Your silly failure to recognize the wisdom and order we bring is a danger to American unity.”
“Center-lefts of the world, unite!”
You know one or both of these outgoing Senators are going to endorse whomever the Democrats put up for president in 2016, irregardless of who he or she is and what they believe, or how the past four years have gone, under Romney or Obama. It’s as sure a bet as the sun rising in the East tomorrow morning.
I just want to say shove civil up your snarky, RINO arse.
How’s that for civil, Lugar and Snowe?
Right on!
For Clinton, it’s part of his recovery to associate with Bush and learn some manners. Most of the others have a history of civil discourse, Daschle was OK until 2001 when he became the official rabid dog of the Democrats. On the other side Lugar has lost his mind and turned on his own, I suppose it’s nice that he still means well, but they’d best give him a lollipop and stand him in the corner.
You mean the National Institute for Shut Up You Conservative Barbarians?
That’s the one.
I seem to recall that Loogie has refused to support the guy who beat him in the primary. Which suggests to me that his problem isn’t with “partisanship”, but being held accountable to the members of the party that funded his elections.
It looks like we have the seeds for the formation of a third way party: The Civil Party. It can be dedicated to the proposition that all decisions between opposing principles can be found somewhere in the middle. Half right, half wrong – take your pick! Half true, half false – take your pick! Half liberty, half tyranny – take your pick.
As the bitter fruits of the brilliant foreign policy of Madeleine Albright (Madame Secretary), Colin Powell and Hilarious Clinton are harvested, is it any wonder that they would seek the cover of a Civil Party? Is it surprising that Olympia Snowe and Richard Lugar, two politicians who campaigned to support the beliefs of their constituents and then threw them under the bus when they joined the Ruling Class would now seek the cover of a Civil Party? Bill Richardson, Bill Clinton – you have to be kidding me! Few politicians need the cover of a Civil Party to cover their tracks more than these two.
Angelo Codevilla was right: the real struggle in American politics is between the Ruling Class and the Country Class, and the future of our constitutional republic hangs in the balance!