Governor Warns Against Dangers of Uncivil Discourse

The menu fare may have been a light lunch, but the topic was a weighty one for a St. Charles visit by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.

“It’s possible to disagree on matters of deeply held principle while continuing to make progress in areas where we find common cause,” Nixon told a politically diverse crowd of almost 200 at Lindenwood University. “In fact, for our democracy to work we must find those areas of agreement.”

Nixon’s speech was part of a luncheon to mark the inaugural event of the Bates-Krekel Society. Named for two local 19th Century political opponents who joined together in the Union cause during the Civil War, the organization was founded by St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, a Republican, and Circuit Judge Ted House, a Democrat, to encourage civil discourse and mitigate partisanship. House said the group plans to hold two events each year.

In an address to the group, which contained many local officeholders including St. Charles Mayor Patti York, the governor, a first-term Democrat, cited the example of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

“They fought together in the cause for independence but became bitter enemies when political parties began to form around them,” he said. “Yet when they died, the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, they were fast and deep friends.”

Nixon said that in his career he had seen bipartisanship work many times on seat belt laws, no-call lists, and mandatory insurance coverage. He warned against the dangers of party-line voting, noting that the democratic process doesn’t require agreement on every issue but rather respect where agreement isn’t possible.

“The genius of democracy lies not in its ability to coax consensus but rather in its ability to serve the majority while protecting the views, interests and rights of the diverse minorities who live within it,” he said. “It is my sincere hope that today will mark the start of a new kind of public discourse, one that is respectful, informed and rational, not only among us here today but across Missouri and across our nation.”

He said the state can be a leader in this cause. Nixon cited data showing that the number of identified Democrats and Republicans has dropped in Missouri over the last 30 years as independents have increasingly come to the forefront.

“This is where it must start, in the middle of our country, in a place that links all parts of our country, where a majority of the people are willing to listen,” said Nixon, who also served four terms as the state’s attorney general.

Nixon said people of all political stripes want many of the same things, from strong communities to a stable economy. Yet, he said, the body politic is awash in uncivil debate.

“Lately, it seems harder for us to find common ground,” he said. “Many of us have become concerned about a rancorous public discourse that generates more heat than light.”

He decried the rise of a new generation of politicians who act as “single-issue salesmen” over political hot buttons. In demonizing opponents, they stay on the attack and lower the tone of campaigns.

“Quite frankly, that turns people off,” he said. “Normal people are running in droves from discussing important issues because others speak stronger, louder and in harsher tones that wash away that middle-of-the-country, middle-of-the-road, practical nature that we all know is necessary to move forward.”

Nixon said harsh rhetoric and showmanship was beginning to interfere with conversations between leaders and those they serve.

“Even the venerable town hall meeting has been upended by those who make it all but impossible for elected officials to rationally hear and discuss genuine concerns,” he said.

Nixon said that the Internet and expansion of cable television have made it increasingly possible for partisans to choose to receive news and opinion only from their own side of the debate rather than seek differing points of view.

“Civil discourse is trapped in a vortex created by two countervailing forces, the explosion of information and the contraction of mass media,” he said. “The public has been thrown into a whirlwind without a GPS and the range of choices and voices is simply overwhelming.”

Nixon also condemned what he called “cyber snipers,” or highly partisan political bloggers.

“When public humiliation and character assassination are your goals and there are no rules of engagement, it is open season on anyone you disagree with,” he said. “Unencumbered by facts, cyber snipers may lack credentials or credibility but they have enormous advantages of anonymity and speed.”

It’s a problem worsened by the constant search for moments of inconsistency which can be used as a political weapon to brand an opponent as a flip-flopper.

“It’s often better to be dead wrong on an issue than to change your opinion,” Nixon said.

Audience members from both sides of the aisle seemed pleased. Morton Todd, chair of the Democratic Central Committee of St. Charles, said he was happy to see so many individuals from city and county government as well as the religious community. He said he worried that rancor, such as that seen in Wisconsin’s recent political battles, could spread here.

“I think it was a good start and the governor gave a really good message here today,” he said. “I think we need to have more of these events.”

Chuck Gross, a Republican attendee, also enjoyed the gathering.

“The importance of civil discourse can’t be overstated,” he said. “Because of the way in which information is disseminated people sometimes hear only the voices that say the same thing over and over again. That’s why hearing opinions through these types of groups is really important to the future.”

Another Bates-Krekel Society event is set for this fall.