Friday’s second editorial wishes more of our leaders on the federal level were willing to play nice with their opposites, even if just for a few hours:
It was disappointing Tuesday night to see South Carolina largely sit out as dozens of members of Congress crossed the aisle to sit with the other party for the State of the Union address. The initiative to mix the traditionally divided audience began last year after the tragic shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and was promoted once again this year after a notably contentious 2011.
To be fair, not all leaders from South Carolina ignored the effort. Sen. Lindsey Graham sat with New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. And South Carolina’s lone Democratic representative, Rep. James Clyburn, sat with Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling.
Will sitting with a political opponent for a few hours change the world? Did we expect politicians to break out in “Kumbaya” afterward? Of course not. But it does send a message that just for one night, if no other in the year, our leaders can at least sit next to their counterparts, giving us hope that they can work together to improve our nation.
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