Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) at The Hill:
During my time as a Kansas City councilmember, I had the privilege of meeting Republican then-Gov. Christopher “Kit” Bond. Over time, we became friends organically, with our friendship continuing to this very day. However, after Kit was elected to the Senate, and I was elected to the Kansas City Mayor’s Office, our relationship proved not only valuable to us personally, but a benefit to the Missourians we both represented professionally.
Together, made easier by our genuine friendship and the mutual trust that comes with such a relationship, we made the conscious decision to seek common ground wherever possible, believing any short-term political blowback would be erased by long-term benefits to Missouri families. I’m proud to say our partnership helped lay the groundwork for some of Kansas City’s most iconic landscapes today, such as the National World War I Museum and Memorial, the 18th & Vine District, the Charles E. Whittaker Federal Courthouse, and any number of smaller projects that came into existence through our joint efforts.
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Believe it or not, bipartisanship is not only possible, it is still preferred by many! However, it is incumbent on representatives of the people to openly demonstrate a willingness to choose reconciliation over imputation; communication over proclamation; and unification over defamation.