I was talking about Washington’s divide last week with Max Stier of the Partnership for Public Service.
The nonprofit group CEO said this: “Honestly, there’s a meanness I’ve not seen ever before. You look at the rhetoric, the use of memes and photographs. It’s pretty stunning.”
So, as the holidays approach, I have to ask: Is Washington joyless?
Kind of, but remember what Charlie Brown said: “I’m not going to let all this commercialism ruin my Christmas.”
I think many Washingtonians are determined not to allow the capital’s sourness to ruin their holidays.
Washington does seem to be shattering records for acidity, and fewer occasions exist than in the past for rival party members to share light moments. Both sides often shun the sorts of social events that traditionally brought them together.
Lawmakers still played the annual Republicans vs. Democrats baseball game last summer, but it wasn’t so nonpartisan. The GOP team wore red caps with “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN” in white lettering.
Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin maintains a friendship with Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert — his ideological opposite — that tends to surprise people.
The divisions are everywhere, of course. A man in Arbutus — a very purple, blue-collar Baltimore County town — told me this summer that he avoids political discussions “at all costs.”
And he’s a barber. Weren’t barber shops once iconic places for community discussion and gossip?
“I’ve never seen it this divided before,” he said.
Turkey Clemency
Washington does retain a lighthearted, bipartisan social tradition: the Thanksgiving turkey pardon.
But it’s just weird.
White House lore says President Lincoln “pardoned” a turkey in 1863, but President George H.W. Bush launched the modern practice in 1989 by promising a bird could “live out his days on a children’s farm.”
So many questions.
*If this is clemency, what’s the offense?
*Last year’s pardoned birds were named “Peach” and “Blossom.” Why anthropomorphize turkeys just as millions of them are about to become dinner?
The White House didn’t respond to questions about this year’s pardons. Animal rights groups say the event trivializes animal welfare issues.
IDGAF
Sometimes the medium really does seem more important than the message.
When Gov. Wes Moore was asked recently about a newspaper’s criticism of his congressional redistricting plans, he replied on NBC’s Meet the Press NOW:
“I can respond to The Washington Post with five letters: I-D-G-A-F.”
The way he responded — with an initialism suggesting a swear word — generated more buzz than the meaning of the response itself.
Critics accused him of arrogance or (implied) language that was beneath his office, although I’d argue the bar for acceptable political behavior these days is quite low.
What’s striking is how quickly everybody knew he meant “I don’t give a f***.”
Nobody thought he was saying “I’m Delighted to Gain Additional Funding” or “Another Deficit? Great. Awesome. Fantastic.”
We may not be familiar with government acronyms like NIDIS or MILES, but we know a salty retort when we hear one.
Have a news tip? Contact Jeff Barker at [email protected].