GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Two former presidential advisors were at UW-Green Bay Wednesday, for a conversation with students and the community on the state of our democracy.
Karl Rove and David Axelrod are on the opposite side of the political aisle, but they do share a belief that partisan politics is not always healthy.
“We have gotten into a habit where people think that their political opponents are their enemies,” Rove said.
He said one of the biggest disagreements across party lines was over slavery.
“Lincoln and Douglas could still show up at the same place and talk.”
Rove says that needs to happen again.
Axelrod, former Senior Advisor to President Obama says compromise is the only way to get things accomplished in politics.
“We can’t have a functioning democracy if we are not willing to talk with each other and talk through our differences.”
Sitting next to him, Karl Rove, former Deputy Chief of Staff for President George W. Bush says elected officials have a job to do, and it is not to be an angry talking head.
“People need to reward people who exemplify the right kind of behavior in politics.”
He says they can do that by showing up at the polls.
Axelrod says a difference of opinion is healthy.
“One of the things that has gone sideways is this notion that if you disagree you need to dehumanize the person you are talking with and you can’t have reasonable discourse.”
Rove and Axelrod say politicians are elected to come together and get things done that are good for the country.
The two also addressed their parties approach in Wisconsin for the next election.
Alexrod says Democrats need to get strong support out of Milwaukee and having the next Democratic National Convention there will be helpful.
“There is all kinds of activity around the convention that has effects and benefits.”
Rove says for Republicans, they need to hit Wisconsin early and hard.
“Come here more often in advance of the convention and make sure you have the biggest grassroots army you can put together.”
Rove says Wisconsin is a silent battleground state, and he expects that to continue.
The event was put together by the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Learning which aims to provide civil, non-partisan and thought-provoking conversation.
