A day after voters repudiated his Iraq policy and delivered control of Congress to the Democrats, President Bush was left searching for some common ground with the newly elected leadership.
Both he and soon-to-be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi struck encouraging tones Wednesday, with Bush saying they would find issues to “move forward” and Pelosi promising “partnership, not partisanship.”
As Bush and Pelosi attempt to develop a relationship that can serve and satisfy the public, we suggest that the 2005 changes in Colorado can provide a roadmap on how to govern with shared responsibility.
Colorado in 2005 was almost a microcosm for what Washington faces in 2007.
Gov. Bill Owens awoke the morning after Election Day 2004 feeling a bit like Bush today. He had enjoyed a Republican majority at the Colorado statehouse for most of his first six years but saw the rug yanked from under his loafers by a restless electorate. Majority Republicans in the legislature had failed to provide leadership on the fiscal vise that was squeezing the state’s budget.
Voters handed control to Democrats. Led by Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald and House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, they could have tried to solve the fiscal problem alone but instead engaged Owens in debate, sensing that his participation would carry enormous weight with voters. Owens risked his street cred with the far-right wing of his party, but after weeks of compromise he and the Democrats reached the compromise that has stabilized state finances.
It wasn’t a perfect package, and neither side got everything they wanted. But it was effective. Owens’ relationship with the Democrats was often prickly or worse, but they got the job done.
Republicans and Democrats, typically election night foes, then rubbed shoulders at a post-election party to celebrate the passage of Referendum C a year ago.
Bush, Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid need to make a similar commitment to resolve the toughest federal problems – the war in Iraq, deficit spending and immigration reform among them.
Bush, like Owens, would be wise to work with Democrats on many issues, but especially Iraq. It’s time to move the country forward. Bush on Wednesday said he’ll seek common ground on immigration and a minimum-wage hike. Those would mark a strong beginning.
The president has proven he lacks the credibility, and capability, to go it alone in Iraq. He needs to reach out to Democrats and restive Republicans on a compromise that will secure the war-torn country while creating an exit strategy.
Compromise and problem solving, from Colorado to Washington.
