Bidens critics make tribal boundaries deeper

The recent attack on Joe Biden by his Democratic rivals was a disservice not only to Biden but to the country as a whole. I say this as a lifetime Democrat who is enormously discouraged by the inability to discuss politics with those of other different views.

When our political leaders go out of the way to castigate those who have worked with “others” the problem gets worse.

I know how hard it can be to find common ground with political opponents; common sense and reason often fly out the window replaced by emotion and tribal fealty. I also know that political leaders have to work with people whose views they might find odious. At least in a Democracy they do!

Biden did work with people whose views he found odious even when he passed the Violence Against Women Act. Lyndon Johnson courted avowed racists to pass civil rights and voting rights legislation. Preaching to the choir is not often successful at making political progress. Maybe Biden’s critics should view working with “others” as diversity training.

Oh, and if you are in a different tribal camp, contact me for some inter-tribal communications.

Joe King, Former Speaker of the Washington state House of Representatives

Spokane