Partnership, not partisanship

Representative Nancy Pelosi (above), who was elected Speaker of the House today, is expected to emphasize partnership over partisanship in her remarks this afternoon, according to CNN.

Former Rep. J.C. Watts, participating in CNN's coverage, noted that that spirit will last about "100 hours" before gridlock ensues. He also noted that Washington is driven by ego and power and that that combination is "dangerous." No kidding.

Can this ever change? Why won't the Democrats seize the opportunity before them to genuinely try to build consensus and focus on constructive compromise? I'm not just singling out the Dems, either, because the GOP didn't do much in the way of bipartisanship over the past 12 years despite much mention of collaboration.

Is Congress designed, whether intentionally or not, to drive division and reward arrogance and hostility? It is a sad state of affairs, I think, that our leaders cannot come together and find a way to act in the general best interest of the nation. Here's hoping that the spirit of hope and opportunity that will be heavily promoted today is more than smoke and mirrors by next week. Please, Dems, take this opportunity to make our country a better place, together with the GOP.