Following a year that pitted not only Bush against Kerry, but also "The Passion of the Christ" against "Fahrenheit 9/11" and even W ketchup against Heinz ketchup (you can't make this stuff up), pundits are still abuzz about the red state/blue state divide in the United States. However, as the widespread praise comedian Jon Stewart received for his lambasting of CNN's "Crossfire" and divisive politics demonstrated, Americans are not as divided as pundits will concede. The bitter tone of American politics does not result from an unprecedented divided electorate, but instead creates the false perception of a deeply divided nation.
Today, the nation is hardly anymore divided than it was in the 1980s, when political opponents were merely "opponents" and not "enemies." Some cite the incredibly competitive battle for a handful of decisive presidential "swing states" as the genesis of the belligerent political tone. Nonetheless, in the 1980 and 1988 presidential elections, the margin of victory was less than five percent in 15 and 14 states, respectively. In 2004, 12 states held that distinction. Republicans now hold an 11-seat majority in the Senate, numbers the Democrats had 1980s. Back then, the Vice President did not hurl four-letter words at the minority party leaders on the Senate floor.
Today, some of the bluest of the blue states, such as California, New York and Massachusetts, have Republican governors, while some of the reddest of the red states, North Carolina, Montana and Virginia, elected Democratic governors. The tone has denigrated at all levels -- from the midnight clash between the Young Democrats and College Republicans on the Green here in Hanover, to the campaign trail with personal attacks, to the halls of Congress.
Partisans, such as Ann Coulter and Michael Moore, are at the front lines in a war against political civility, often compromising the truth for the sake of mean-spirited sensationalism that sells books and movie tickets. Coulter and Moore both demonize their political opponents, making civil co-existence and compromise less possible. Their purpose is to solely and viciously attack their foes. That fact is revealing about their lack of true conviction.The American public has the power to reject mean-spirited politics and change the tone. There is a difference between intelligent debate and the scorched-earth mentality of "Crossfire," Coulter and Moore that has plagued the recent history of American politics. Open-minded and independent voices, such as Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, garner respect. Partisan hacks do not.
Mean-spirited punditry is short-sighted and counterproductive to effective governing. The title of Ann Coulter's latest hate-fest -- some may call it a book -- "How to Talk to a Liberal If You Must," offers a fitting slogan for the sad state of American politics today. Cooperation seemingly comes grudgingly. Unfortunately for Ann, the Republicans "must" talk to liberals if President Bush wants Social Security and tax reform. Referring to liberals, Coulter has declared, "The enemy within is often far more damaging than the enemy outside." Does Coulter want Nancy Pelosi detained at Guantanamo Bay? Dangerously, given the combative tone of politics and today's myriad sources of information, both ends of the political spectrum could become ideologically entrenched, making common-ground even more elusive.
In a poll taken after the November election, 71 percent of those who responded that the right-leaning Fox News was their main source of campaign news voted for President Bush. Furthermore, 50 percent of those who replied that the left-leaning main three broadcast networks were their main source voted for Senator Kerry. MSNBC, viewed as the most politically moderate of the cable news networks, consistently has the lowest ratings of the cable news outlets. Activity at the "free marketplace of ideas" has become stagnant. Individuals can shield themselves from being challenged by opposing viewpoints.
Some incorrectly point to blue state "intellectual elitism" and red state "moral elitism" to convey the national divide. In November, television markets in Dallas-Fort Worth and Kansas City had higher ratings for the raunchy "Desperate Housewives" than New York City. Conversely, right-leaning country singer Toby Keith tours in the Northeast because the blue states buy his concert tickets.
The American public has become too wrapped up in its politics, unnecessarily creating the shroud of the "Disunited States of America." Over 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson properly put bitter partisanship in its place, proclaiming, "We are all Republicans. We are all Federalists." As this year's political season gets underway, let us again remind ourselves that we are all Americans.
