REFLECTIONS OF A FORMER SENATE GOP STAFFER

                                                                                                                                           November 2020 

                                                                                                                                            (revised Jan 2021)

 

 

 

 

                        REFLECTIONS OF A FORMER GOP STAFFER

 

For nearly ten years, I served as a Senate GOP staffer (Committee counsel, Legislative Director and Chief of Staff) and had the opportunity to get a close look at how President-elect Biden interacted with my former bosses, and GOP staff, too.   I have a lot of friends who are strong Trump supporters, especially from my home state of South Carolina.  They believed Trump’s narrative about the election and are frightened about the prospects of a Biden Presidency.  Since the election, and for those friends who were willing to listen, I have tried to recount some of my own personal observations of the President-elect and his character in the hopes that it might allay a bit of their anxiety about the future. Surprisingly, I have received some positive responses.  With his inauguration coming up next week, and in wake of the tragic violence at the Capitol, people of good faith should do whatever we can to contribute to the healing of divisions in this country.  Maybe in a small way and without partisan rancor, these reflections might help serve that goal.

 

I understand that many progressives won’t like to be reminded of Joe Biden's friendships with Republicans.  Die-hard Trump supporters will also dislike anything positive said about the President-elect.  Cynics will think that these are thirty-year old, pollyannish remembrances, and “that Senate” does not exist anymore. I am an optimist, and refuse to believe that the hyper-partisanship we have experienced in the last few years has to be the norm. I believe our new President looks for the good in people-including Republicans. His approach is timeless, effective for legislating, will be a refreshing change, and most importantly, might help to heal our nation---precisely what we need right now. 

I came here in 1985 to work for Senator Strom Thurmond, a strong GOP conservative. He was already 83, and there were Senators and staff who (offensively, in my view) made light of his age and even his mental acuity. Senator Biden was the opposite. He was respectful and gracious to Senator Thurmond --always. Not only in public, when the media was watching, but also behind closed doors when it was just Biden, Thurmond and a few top staff. They certainly did not agree politically on much of anything, and it well documented that Thurmond could be strident in his views. However, when dealing with Biden, he was softer and was more willing to reach an accord.  I think especially in his later years, when I worked for him, Thurmond wanted to leave a more constructive legacy on race and other matters and was more willing to compromise—especially with Biden, whom he liked and trusted.  Before Thurmond died, and his funeral arrangements were being planned, he asked his friend to be one of his eulogists. I am sure Thurmond wanted to show that he had garnered the respect of both Republicans and Democrats during his life. Biden could have easily said "no", which was the more expedient political choice. Instead, he was willing to be a friend.  His eulogy for Thurmond was memorable and moving.

 
Later I worked for Senator Al Simpson (R-Wyo) as his Chief of Staff/Chief Counsel while he was the GOP Whip. In my job, I spent much time in the Senate Chamber where Senators assembled to cast their votes. Then as now, the GOP leadership staff sat on one side of the chamber (in the back) and the Democratic staff sat on the other. Only one Democratic Senator regularly came over and sat with us GOP staffers, often just to chat, to ask how we were, to find out about the voting schedule, etc. That was Joe Biden. He had an impressive ability to greet us lowly staffers by our first names. Most Senators (on both sides of the aisle) didn't treat staff of the other party so courteously. Biden stood out for us GOP aides.  He and Simpson had a very warm personal relationship. They trusted each other and regularly worked together on legislation. A few years ago, then Vice President Biden personally asked his friend Simpson to co-chair the Bipartisan Commission to reduce the Federal Deficit (Simpson-Bowles). Fast forward to today-- Senate GOP Leader McConnell (who was also in the Senate then) also has a long standing, positive relationship with President-elect Biden.  I think they trust each other, and that is a basis for optimism. 

After the mob violence of last week, instigated by divisive rhetoric and resulting in bloodshed, death, and members of both parties huddled together in fear for their lives, maybe what is called for now is a bipartisan reaction—a concerted commitment by Members of Congress and the new Administration to lead by example-----to show that our democracy endures, and to help heal divisions. Maybe they can practice some of the values of civility, graciousness, a willingness to listen, and even to compromise occasionally, all of which are a part of President-elect Biden’s DNA.