Voters want candidates who work across-the-aisle

Submitted by Jack McCullough on August 29, 2012
Tags: 
Problem-Solver's Daily
Gridlock
Hyper-Partisanship
campaigns
Sanford Bishop
Bill Galston
Mark McKinnon
chris christie
RNC
conventions

VOTERS WANT ACROSS-THE-AISLE APPROACH: Given Congress' approval rating, it is clear that most Americans want a Congress focused on problem-solving, not political point scoring. The dysfunction is so bad that now 30 percent of voters are registered as Independents. Donna Brazile says that, "Independent voters are not interested in hearing how the other guy is to blame, or how bad his policies are. They seek respect for differing approaches, and are looking to elect the candidate who will cooperate and compromise with his opponents," and calls for voters to elect common sense and respectful candidates: Donna Brazile forThe Greenville News: Voters want compromise

CONGRESSMAN AGAINST GRIDLOCK: Rep. Sanford Bishop sympathizes with his constituents. He wants the gridlock to end in Washington as well.  Bishop "supports good ideas, regardless of whether they come from Democrats or Republicans," and notes that most members of Congress seem determined to intentionally cause gridlock instead of coming up with solutions: Phillip Ramati for The Telegraph: Bishop: Congressional gridlock on minds of voters

HYPER-PARTISANSHIP OVER SOLUTIONS: After an unsuccessful run to represent Washington state in Congress, James Windle believes Capitol Hill prefers hyper-partisanship to solutions. Windle says that candidates doing whatever is necessary to win an election, the parties' desire to control Congress and the White House, the status of the media and campaign finance all contribute to the divide and results in solutions no longer being necessary to win elections: James Windle for The Seattle Times: Op-ed: Our political system rejects statesmanship and solutions

LISTEN NOW: No Labels Co-Founders Bill Galston and Mark McKinnon were on Boston Public Radio yesterday to discuss the dysfunctional government in Washington and No Labels' plan to break through it. "The problem that we have today is the parties aren't talking to one another," said McKinnon. Listen here: Kara Miller: Boston Public Radio: Better Politics with 'No Labels'

RNC UPDATE: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie spoke last night at the Republican National Convention and believes in working together to solve America's problems. "It doesn’t matter how we got here.  There is enough blame to go around.  What matters now is what we do. I know we can fix our problems. When there are people in the room who care more about doing the job they were elected to do than worrying about winning re-election, it’s possible to work together, achieve principled compromise and get results," he says. You can read the full speech here.

FROM THE FIELD: This past weekend, No Labels Digital Leaders sent more than 500 letters to the editor of their local newspaper about No Budget, No Pay.

THE DAILY BREAK: Having a rough day? Click here to view 23 Easy Ways To Instantly Make Your Day Better.

ACTION OF THE DAY: Join us in New York City on January 14th for The Meeting to Make America Work! Click here to register.

STAT OF THE DAY: In the period leading up to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, 44 percent of registered voters had a favorable view of the Republican Party, while 43 percent had a favorable view of the Democratic Party - both well under a majority. This continues a long-term trend of Americans becoming more dissatisfied with both parties: Lydia Saad for Gallup: GOP Favorability Matches 2008 Pre-Convention Level

Written & edited by Kelsey McLaughlin, Collin Berglund, Lauren Gilbert and Jack McCullough

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