Progress over Partisanship?

Could we possibly be headed towards good government in Washington?  Perhaps, if Lamar Alexander gets his way. It appears Sen. Alexander is looking for ways to work with the Democratic majority to pass bi-partisan legislation.

In fact, he wants to showcase the GOP efforts to get things done.  It’s almost as if he believes the voters will reward success and progress.  Strange, I know… but stranger things have happened.

Check out these two emails from Alexander’s legislative director to other GOP Senators’ legislative directors:

From: Morgenstern, David (Alexander)
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 1:06 PM
To:
Subject: Need your assistance...
Hello,
As part of Sen. Alexander's new duties as GOP Conference Chair, he's collecting examples of legislation introduced by Republican senators that has bipartisan support. He was hoping to discuss these at next week's GOP senators' retreat. Today or tomorrow, can you email me 1-2 examples that your boss has introduced this Congress? Thanks!
Thanks,
David

From: Morgenstern, David (Alexander)
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 9:33 AM
To:
Subject: FW: Need your assistance...
As a follow-up to my message yesterday…
I was actually out of the office sick the last 2 days and dictated most what was sent out below under my name. (The second "thanks" was added by someone else – I'm not that nice.) Since then, I've gotten a little additional clarification on the types of examples we're looking for:
* Legislation that hasn't passed the Senate yet.
* Most interested in Republican legislation with Democratic cosponsorship, but also interested in Dem-sponsored bills that your boss is the lead Republican on – if it's something your boss really cares about.
Hope that helps. Thanks to those who have already responded.
David Morgenstern
Legislative Director
Sen. Lamar Alexander

The right-wing wackos at RedState.com are positively distraught over the idea that Alexander wants to work for the good of the country while Democrats are in power. Instead, the GOP should grind all progress to a halt and drive this country into the ground, just so Democrats can be blamed.

If, in fact, Alexander is breaking with the GOP’s traditional scorched earth politics in favor of progress, then he deserves our praise.

However, I still wish some Democrat would step up to the plate to challenge him in this year’s election. This is a democracy. We’re suppose to have choices. Alexander may be good for a Republican, but he’s no progressive.

- Rick Lewis