Rantle

By Eric Anschutz, December 17, 2008

Way back in February of this year, during the still early days of the race for the Presidency, I wrote a column called “One America: Really?” In that now long-ago column, I raised doubts about then-candidate Obama’s assertion that “there is no Blue America or Red America, there is only a United States of America.” Obama’s claim seemed to me a fantasy, a dream, divorced from reality. Folks, I was wrong. Obama meant it then, and he seems now, as our President-Elect, to be making it happen. Against formidable odds, bridging the chasm between Blue and Red America seems to be underway. This man does seem to be the transformational leader that we hope for. To remind us of the difficulties of uniting the two Americas, let me quote, in the two paragraphs that follow, some of the things I said those nine months ago:

“At the risk of generalizing, here’s one way to define Blue America: latte drinking, Prius driving, Birkenstock-wearing, tax and spend liberals! Blue America includes most Democrats, most blacks, most Hispanics, most school teachers, virtually all college professors, most atheists and agnostics, and believes that the First Amendment (freedom of speech, of the press and of the right peaceably to assemble) is the single most important part of the Bill of Rights. Blue America wants to save money by bringing our troops home from the 130 overseas bases on which they are now deployed, and to invest, instead, far more in infrastructure and education and health care. Blue America believes in a multilateral foreign policy and in the importance of the United Nations, thinks that war is almost always counterproductive, believes that soft power is actually more potent than military power, and that negotiation is always preferable to conflict. Blue America believes in a social and educational and business meritocracy, but also believes that affirmative action is essential for full integration of minorities, in a safety net for the underprivileged, and in a far higher minimum wage; it is convinced that global warming is real, that it is man-made, and that conservation and alternative fuel technologies must be far more aggressively developed and deployed.

“On the other hand, Red America (and, again, forgive the gross generalization) disdains big government (except for the military, which is never big enough to suit them), wants government out of our private lives (except for abortion and same sex marriage), and cherishes the Second Amendment (the right to keep and bear arms) above all others. Red America embraces Republicans, Christian Evangelicals, NASCAR fans, and hunters; it believes strongly in individual responsibility and self-reliance, disdains the United Nations and the welfare state, denies the need for affirmative action (except for corporations), and holds the view that anyone can “make it” in America if they work hard and obey the rules. They believe in “my country, right or wrong,” that invading Iraq was a good idea and that we need to stay there until we win, that we should maintain permanent bases in Iraq, that it is necessary for our security to keep troops in Germany and South Korea and Japan and in the 127 other countries in which they are now based, and that our aircraft carriers have every right to relentlessly patrol the Straits of Hormuz as a way to remind Iran, constantly, that the military option remains on the table. “

OK, back to today. I still think that the very generalized Blue/Red profiles cited above are roughly true. But what Obama has done in his early weeks as President-Elect is to focus us on common ground, and to embrace our differences and our diversity. He has reminded us too that wisdom is not the province of any one party. Obama says, correctly, that bilateral cooperation is essential to gain sustainable support for his policies and actions. To seek bilateral support, Obama has made calls to Republican leaders in Congress, and has sent Rahm Emanuel to the Hill to meet with Republican leadership. Emanuel has given his personal cell-phone number to Congressional leaders of both parties, and has asked all of them to submit their ideas on how best to move the country forward – promising that all ideas will receive due consideration as policies are developed. Obana’s cabinet choices, so far, are centrists and even center-right; all of them are first-rate people selected for their expertise, intellect and national standing. I suspect he plans to govern center-left, protected and enriched by the phalanx of the centrist cabinet that will be charged with executing his policies.

We can hope that Blue/Red differences will subside as a truly “United” States of America is built on our collective intelligence and work. One of the things that led to the troubles in which this country finds itself is that we have for eight years rejected deep thinking and science and intellect, letting politics and ideology reign supreme. Iraq and New Orleans and our third rate schools are symptomatic of that, as is the deterioration of our infrastructure. Our private sector too has become greedy and irresponsible; the meltdown of our financial community, the abysmal state of our car industry and the near-total outsourcing of our consumer electronics industry are among many examples.

I will take some time off to enjoy the holidays with my family, and will be back to the column and with you on January 7. Let me end today’s column by wishing you Happy Holidays, and the hope that during 2009 the country’s new leaders will finally provide the intellect and hard work needed to begin rebuilding our economy, end our wars, and reestablish global respect and admiration for our country. If Obama can move us toward achievement of his vision of a truly “United” America, and at the same time unite us once again with our international partners, the term “transformational,” so often applied to our soon-to-be President, will be both apt and well-earned.

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