.jpg)
St. Paul, Minn. – A statewide campaign began Monday that calls on Minnesotans across the political spectrum – liberals, conservatives and independents – to help reduce hostile polarization during what promises to be a politically divisive election year.
Called “Reduce the Rancor, Minnesota,” the campaign is sponsored by the nonprofit Braver Angels and championed by the chairs of the state’s two major political parties and 21 organizations that include elected officials, colleges and universities, Minnesota Public Radio, professional associations, and religious and civic groups.
In a kick-off event held Monday at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, David Hann, chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, and Ken Martin, chairman of the Democrat-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, addressed students, campaign partners and Braver Angels members.
“I believe that it’s a gift to have a country where we can settle our questions about how we’re going to govern ourselves through the political process.,” Hann said.
“We’re in a time when there is lot of emotion for human beings. That’s to be expected. We don’t have to be governed entirely by those emotions. In my party, sometimes I get criticized for consorting with the enemy. And they say ‘enemy.’ I say wait a minute. I never refer to Ken Martin or the Democratics as our enemy. They’re not our enemy. They’re our political opponents.
“When you’re talking about enemies then the next step is when do we start shooting each other. When do we start picking up guns?” Hann said. “Because that’s what happens when you have enemies. Now, there are a lot of things we disagree on –many things, a lot of things -- but one thing I do believe is we have to find ways to work together to find some kind of common ground.”
Martin shared a similar view.
“My dad was a Republican and my mom was a good feminist and progressive. We would have lots of conversations around the dinner table. The one thing I was raised on is: It’s OK to disagree and you can disagree without being disagreeable….People aren’t listening to each other anymore. People should not be afraid to share their opinions but to open their ears and listen to others. You might actually learn something and find common ground.”
He also recalled a conversation with the late Vice President Walter Mondale who told him that about 30 years ago Republicans and Democrats had “fierce disagreements” but after the election would lay down their “campaign swords” and seek common ground.
Mondale said they didn’t even see the other side as opponents but as people who ran for office for the same reason they did – each side believed in making a difference for Americans for helping to build this country.
“Now, the day after (an election) it’s just one perpetual game and campaign to try to make the other side look bad,” Martin said.
“When we have polarization now and toxicity in politics, guess what happens: Cynicism rises. The American public gets cynical not just about politics but about participation.” Martin said both party chairs are committed not only to reducing the rancor but “doing our best to model the type of behavior so other politicians, maybe they can do more of that up at the state Capitol and out in Washington, D.C.”
Hann nodded in agreement. In developing the initiative, Bill Doherty, a co-founder of Braver Angels and a University of Minnesota professor of family social science, told the crowd of about 160: “A key campaign message is that we can learn to ‘disagree better.’ This does not mean giving up cherished values or policy beliefs. It means learning to disagree with respect rather than rancor.”
“Minnesota can lead the way for the nation,” said, Doherty, a co-chair of the campaign. “We have leaders and everyday citizens here who know how to reduce the rancor. We have a long history of legislators -- from both sides of the aisle – who have strong differences but work together to chart the state’s path.”
The other co-chair, the Rev. Jeff Thiemann, a recently retired Twin Cities executive, said: “Toxic polarization is disrupting the harmony within families, schools, neighborhoods, churches, workplaces, governments, and beyond. This extensive network of partners statewide brings unprecedented capacity and commitment to foster understanding and unity across these breaks.”
The campaign asks sponsoring organizations and individual Minnesotans to take at least one action to lower the temperature in their conversations about politics.
Across the state, Braver Angels has a growing base, currently nearly 2,900 subscribers and members. The next Braver Angels meeting in Ely will take place on Tuesday, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Ely Senior Center.
