Capitol Hill Conversations: A Bipartisan Look Ahead

The provided sources offer an illuminating overview of the political landscape and a glimpse into the discussions surrounding President Trump’s first State of the Union address on January 30, 2018. Through interviews with key figures like Kellyanne Conway and Nancy Pelosi, the texts explore the White House’s policy agenda, including immigration and infrastructure, and the challenges of achieving bipartisan cooperation in a highly polarized political environment. The discussions also touch upon the impact of the Trump-Russia investigation and the emerging “Me Too” movement on the political climate, providing diverse perspectives on the administration’s first year and the outlook for the upcoming midterm elections.

Podcast

State of the Union

The State of the Union address, delivered by President Trump, was previewed at a live news event at The Washington Post on January 29, 2018, the eve of his historic first address. The event included discussions by influential lawmakers and political analysts who assessed his first year in office and looked ahead to the 2018 legislative agenda.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the State of the Union discussion from the sources:

Expected Tone and Content of the Speech

• Bipartisan and Forward-Looking Tone: White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway stated that the president was working on a “bipartisan, forward-looking speech that’s positive in tone and content”. This speech was intended to reflect on past accomplishments and provide a framework for working together in 2018. Conway emphasized that bipartisanship is the “only way to function in this town and as a democracy”.
• Unifying Message: Speakers like Ari Fleischer hoped for a “normal” speech where the president “unifies us, talks about bigger things that unite a country”. David Urban anticipated an “aspirational Donald Trump” speech, similar to his well-received joint address to Congress the previous year. Senator Angus King hoped the president would “widen the aperture” in terms of his audience and resist the urge to “jab people”.
• Key Priorities: Conway outlined the president’s top priorities as prosperity, security, transparency, and accountability, which he planned to discuss. He would also talk about a “safe, strong, proud America” and promoting dignity for all career types, including investment in skills training. Senator Shelley Moore Capito expected a strong, uniting speech focusing on economic accomplishments and the tax bill.

Specific Policy Discussions

The speech was expected to cover several major policy areas:

• Immigration: Immigration was anticipated to be one of the “major five or six points covered” in the speech, with a focus on DACA recipients and Dreamers.
• White House Framework: The White House proposed a framework that included a resolution for 1.8 million Dreamers (including those who never sought protection under the 2012 Obama administration action) and $25 billion for enhanced border security. Conway stated that border security, including “the wall and other security measures,” was the president’s “redline”.
• Democrats’ Stance: House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi acknowledged the need for a deal on immigration and was open to resources for border security, including physical structures if appropriate. However, she called a 2,000-mile wall costing $25 billion “ineffective, too expensive, almost immoral,” particularly if Mexico wasn’t paying for it. She also emphasized that the focus should be on Dreamers and some security, rather than a broader comprehensive immigration reform that includes radical restrictions on legal immigration like ending chain migration or the visa lottery system. Senator King warned against Republicans becoming “greedy” and trying to push their entire immigration agenda in this bill, advocating for a narrow focus on DACA and border security.
• Bipartisan Potential: The “Common Sense Caucus” of senators had shown bipartisan energy on the DACA issue, with many wanting to get something done. David Urban highlighted that the president’s offer of a path to citizenship for nearly two million people was “incredible” and something previous administrations couldn’t achieve.
• Economy and Tax Cuts: The speech was expected to highlight the administration’s economic accomplishments, particularly the Tax Cut and Jobs Act.
• Perceived Benefits: Conway cited that the tax cut was “helping upwards of 3 million people already” and leading to direct investments, raises, and bonuses from over 274 companies. Apple was repatriating billions of dollars and bringing 20,000 jobs to the U.S. due to the tax cut. Proponents argued that these metrics would resonate positively as economic growth picks up and wages rise.
• Criticism and Concerns: Donna Brazile hoped the president would address the millions of Americans not yet feeling the economic thrust, despite stock market gains and low unemployment, as many are still going deeper into debt. Nancy Pelosi criticized the tax bill as a “dark cloud” that provided a “banquet” of benefits (83%) to the top 1%, while 86 million middle-class Americans would pay more. She accused Republicans of rushing it through with no hearings and using the resulting deficit as an excuse to cut domestic spending.
• Infrastructure: Infrastructure was noted as another “big piece of the president’s State of the Union”.
• President’s Vision: The president, described as a “builder,” aimed to rebuild the nation in a bipartisan fashion, committing to invest “at least $1 trillion” and reducing the permitting process from 8-10 years to about two.
• Pelosi’s Critique: Pelosi criticized the president’s “mini plan” of $200 billion over 10 years ($20 billion/year) as insufficient compared to the “trillions of dollars of deficit” needed for infrastructure, according to civil engineers. She also argued it unfairly burdens states and cities and subsidizes the private sector, leading to taxpayers “paying twice”.
• Bipartisan Promise: Senators Capito and King agreed that infrastructure held “great promise” for bipartisan cooperation, particularly rural broadband initiatives. However, Eric Swalwell pointed out that Republicans in Congress often don’t support such investments and the recent tax cuts have made it difficult to fund significant infrastructure spending.
• Other Issues:
• Opioids: Senator King identified the opioid crisis as a major, non-partisan public health crisis needing presidential leadership. Kellyanne Conway also referred to it as a “nonpartisan issue in search of bipartisan solutions”.
• Russia Investigation: The “shadow” of the Trump-Russia investigation was acknowledged. While the president calls it a “hoax” and an “excuse for losing an election”, he believes in transparency regarding related information. It was generally agreed that he would likely not discuss the investigation in the speech, as it’s considered “nonsense” by David Urban. Eric Swalwell suggested that the president could unify the country by proposing an independent commission to secure future elections from foreign interference.

Presidential Communication and Style

• Sticking to Script: Panelists widely agreed that it would not benefit the president to go “rogue” or off-script during the State of the Union. They hoped he would stick to the teleprompter and maintain message discipline.
• Critiques of Trump’s Approach: Ari Fleischer noted that Trump “too often creates his own problem” with spontaneous remarks and lacks the “discipline to stay on message,” which hinders his presidency. Donna Brazile felt the president struggles with “message discipline” and often reverts to campaigning, which she described as divisive. Senator Capito’s strongest disagreement with the president was his “tone,” especially on Twitter, which she found distracting from serious policy discussions.
• Importance of “Normalcy”: Fleischer stressed that Trump needs “less disruption and more getting things done” to be successful, as people elected him to be a “disrupter to get things done sake,” not for disruption itself. He also suggested that the president should do a “road tour” to connect with constituents, a “normal” thing past presidents did, rather than relying solely on Twitter, which he felt only “goes skin deep”.

Political Landscape and Midterms

• Midterm Elections: The 2018 midterms were a significant backdrop. Kellyanne Conway acknowledged the historical trend of the party in power suffering losses in off-year and first midterm elections, citing Bill Clinton in 1994 and Barack Obama in 2010. However, she argued that the tax cut would be a major advantage for Republicans, allowing them to boast about direct investments and job creation in their states.
• Democratic Strategy: Nancy Pelosi felt history was on the Democrats’ side if the president’s approval numbers were below 50%. She emphasized authenticity for candidates, focusing on local issues rather than running against Donald Trump. She also noted the “extraordinary numbers of women stepping up to run for office”.
• “Check and Balance” Election: Eric Swalwell believed 2018 would be a “check and balance election,” where Americans would seek a Congress that could both collaborate with the president where beneficial and act as a check on policies like the border wall or the “Muslim ban”.
• Partisan Division: The ongoing partisan atmosphere was evident in discussions about potential Democratic boycotts of the State of the Union. While some Democrats chose to attend as a “check on the president” and make statements through symbolic gestures (e.g., kente cloth, wearing black for #MeToo), others opted not to attend due to offense over the president’s remarks about certain countries.

Significance of the State of the Union

• Paramount Importance: Ari Fleischer asserted that the State of the Union remains “paramount” and an “essential feature of our democracy,” serving as a time for people to “tune in and see with their own eyes what a president does and says”. It is considered one of the few national rituals that can unite the country.
• Opportunity for Connection: The event provides an opportunity for the president to make his case to the American people and honor American heroes, fostering a sense of shared national experience.
• Challenges and Aftermath: Despite its importance, the “State of the Union bump” can be short-lived due to other breaking news or the president’s own actions, such as controversial tweets. After the speech, political analysts and opponents typically dissect the address and highlight any perceived shortcomings.

Key Policy Issues

The sources discuss several key policy issues that are central to the political landscape, particularly in the context of President Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address and the 2018 midterm elections. These issues reveal both deep partisan divisions and areas of potential bipartisan cooperation.

Here are the key policy issues discussed:

• Immigration:
• This issue is a major focus and is expected to be one of five or six key points in the State of the Union address.
• The White House framework includes a path to citizenship for 1.8 million “Dreamers” (DACA recipients, including those who never availed themselves of the 2012 program), which Kellyanne Conway presents as a sign of the President’s “openness and flexibility”.
• The framework also proposes $25 billion for enhanced border security, including a wall and other measures, which Conway states is the President’s “redline”.
• Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi acknowledges the need for an agreement on immigration and is open to resources for border security, including some “physical structure” if appropriate. However, she strongly opposes a “2,000 mile wall that costs $25 billion,” calling it “ineffective, too expensive, almost immoral” and noting that Mexicans are not paying for it.
• Pelosi also criticizes the President’s broader proposals for “radical restrictions on legal immigration,” such as ending chain migration and the visa lottery system, viewing them as undermining what immigration has meant to America.
• Senator Angus King emphasizes the challenge of keeping the focus “narrow” on DACA and border security, warning that if Republicans “get greedy and try to do all of their agenda on immigration in this bill,” it will be very difficult to pass.
• Despite the differences, there’s a recognized “bipartisan energy” towards “getting something done” on DACA, with a growing “Common Sense Caucus” of senators actively engaged in discussions.
• Infrastructure:
• This is another “big piece of the president’s State of the Union”. Kellyanne Conway notes the President’s commitment to investing “at least $1 trillion in infrastructure” and streamlining the permitting process.
• Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Angus King both agree that infrastructure holds “great promise” for bipartisan cooperation, citing the need to modernize transportation systems, particularly rural broadband initiatives, which they call a “huge one”.
• However, Nancy Pelosi criticizes the President’s actual proposal as a “mini plan” of only “$200 billion—that’s over 10 years–$20 billion a year,” which she deems insufficient compared to the “trillions of dollars” of deficit in infrastructure cited by civil engineers.
• Pelosi argues that the President’s plan unfairly burdens states and cities (especially after recent tax changes affecting state and local tax deductions) and criticizes the idea of subsidizing the private sector to build infrastructure and then charging tolls, leading to taxpayers “paying twice”.
• Eric Swalwell points out that Republican members of Congress often don’t support significant infrastructure investments, and recent tax cuts have made funding such projects even more challenging.
• Tax Reform (Tax Cut and Jobs Act):
• This is a major accomplishment touted by the administration. Kellyanne Conway claims the tax cut is already “helping upwards of 3 million people” and has led to direct investments, raises, and bonuses from over 274 companies, making it a key advantage for Republicans in the midterms.
• Nancy Pelosi, however, labels the tax bill as the “dark cloud that hangs over the Capitol”. She criticizes it for being rushed through “with no hearings, no expert advice” and asserts that “83% of it goes to the top 1%” while “86 million middle class families, will be paying more”.
• Pelosi also highlights that the bill adds nearly $2 trillion to the national debt, which she fears will be used as an “excuse” to cut domestic spending. She calls the benefits for the middle class “crumbs” or “goodies” compared to the “banquet” for the wealthy.
• Opioid Crisis:
• This is identified as a “nonpartisan issue in search of bipartisan solutions”.
• Senator Angus King describes it as the “greatest public health crisis” in his state’s history, and Senator Shelley Moore Capito notes West Virginia is the “worst” affected. Both senators see it as an area where presidential leadership is critically needed and bipartisan cooperation is possible.
• Intelligence and the Russia Investigation:
• While not a legislative policy, the politicization of intelligence and the ongoing Russia investigation are significant political issues.
• Kellyanne Conway reiterates President Trump’s stance that there’s “no collusion” and calls the investigation a “hoax” and “excuse for losing an election”. She advocates for transparency in the release of related documents.
• Nancy Pelosi, drawing on her extensive intelligence background, strongly criticizes what she calls a “massive politicization of intelligence” by the House Intelligence Committee chairman. She claims a memo being prepared for release is “false, misleading, misrepresenting” and an attempt to “smear”.
• Donna Brazile and Eric Swalwell emphasize the importance of addressing foreign interference in U.S. elections and the need for presidential leadership to secure the ballot box for future elections, with Swalwell suggesting an independent commission.
• Healthcare (including Affordable Care Act and Abortion):
• The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is referenced as a past divisive issue that impacted previous midterm elections, with Democrats having to defend their votes amidst public concerns about keeping doctors and plans.
• On abortion, the Senate is holding a vote on a bill to outlaw abortions after 20 weeks. Nancy Pelosi opposes this bill, viewing it as government overreach into medical decisions and a “showboat” tactic for the Republican base, as 99% of abortions occur before 20 weeks and later ones often involve serious complications.
• Senator Shelley Moore Capito intends to vote for the bill, acknowledging it’s a partisan vote used by leaders in an election year to “throw to their base,” and admits it is “unlikely to proceed to final passage” as it won’t get the necessary 60 votes. Senator Angus King also opposes the bill, aligning with Pelosi’s view on government not interfering between a doctor and a woman.
• Government Functioning and Budget:
• The recent government shutdown is cited as an example of partisan dysfunction, with a realization that it’s a “misery journey” that “doesn’t serve the public”.
• Concerns are raised about ongoing legislative hurdles, including keeping the government open, raising the debt ceiling, and passing supplemental emergency spending bills.
• Speakers lament the shift from “normal order” in Congress, where 13 spending bills used to be passed annually through a proper committee process, to a current state of going “from crisis to crisis”.
• There’s a debate about potential rule changes in the Senate, such as reducing the procedural hurdle for legislation from 60 votes to 50, which Senator Capito suggests Leader McConnell is considering for appropriations and judicial appointments due to frustration, though not for general legislation. Senator King strongly warns against such changes, arguing they would be a “grave mistake” that would ultimately be used against the party in power and undermine bipartisanship.
• Workplace Harassment (Me Too Movement):
• This issue has prompted bipartisan efforts in the Senate to reform internal rules regarding sexual harassment and misconduct.
• Senator Shelley Moore Capito is working with a bipartisan group to change an “antiquated” system from the 1970s that was “negative towards the person who feels like they’ve been violated”.
• Mandatory training for senators and staff was implemented in December. Further discussions are ongoing about legal reforms related to transparency, reporting, and payment for settlements.
• Kellyanne Conway supports individuals speaking up about mistreatment but cautions against conflating different situations or making support dependent on political beliefs.
• Trade:
• Senator Angus King explicitly states his strong agreement with President Trump on trade, believing the U.S. has not adequately advocated for itself and has faced “one-sided trade agreements”. He supports addressing situations where American companies struggle to compete with those in countries lacking similar labor, safety, or environmental protections.

These policy issues collectively reflect a political landscape marked by ideological clashes, a desire for tangible achievements, and the challenges of governing in a deeply polarized environment.

Bipartisanship Efforts

Bipartisan efforts are a significant and recurring theme throughout the discussions, revealing both areas of potential cooperation and deep-seated obstacles on Capitol Hill.

Areas of Potential Bipartisan Cooperation

Several policy areas are identified where there’s a recognized need or desire for bipartisan solutions:

• Immigration (DACA and Border Security):
• There is a notable “openness and a flexibility” from President Trump on DACA recipients, or “Dreamers,” with the White House framework including a path to citizenship for 1.8 million individuals.
• Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi acknowledges the need for an agreement on immigration and is open to resources for border security, even some “physical structure” if appropriate, though she strongly opposes a 2,000-mile, $25 billion wall.
• Senator Angus King highlights a “genuine energy toward getting something done” on DACA, noting the emergence of a “Common Sense Caucus” involving 35 senators, indicating a desire across the aisle for resolution.
• David Urban, a former Trump campaign advisor, describes the current White House immigration offer as “incredible,” noting that previous presidents couldn’t achieve such a proposal due to internal caucus disagreements.
• The challenge, according to Senator King, is to keep the focus “narrow” on DACA and border security, warning that expanding to “all of their agenda on immigration” (like chain migration) would make a deal “very difficult”.
• Infrastructure:
• This issue is consistently cited as having “great promise” for bipartisan cooperation.
• Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Angus King agree on the shared interest across states in modernizing transportation systems and rural broadband initiatives, which they call a “huge one”.
• Nancy Pelosi also states that infrastructure has “never been a source of partisan disagree[ment],” as its importance to the country is widely understood for job creation, commerce, and quality of life.
• Despite bipartisan interest, Pelosi criticizes the President’s proposed “$200 billion—that’s over 10 years–$20 billion a year” plan as a “mini plan” insufficient for the “trillions of dollars of deficit” cited by civil engineers, and problematic for its potential to burden states and cities while subsidizing the private sector through tolls. Eric Swalwell adds that the recent tax cuts have made funding significant infrastructure spending even more challenging.
• Opioid Crisis:
• The opioid crisis is explicitly labeled a “nonpartisan issue in search of bipartisan solutions”.
• Both Senator King and Senator Capito underscore its severity in their states (Maine and West Virginia, respectively) and view it as an area where “presidential leadership is critically needed” and cooperation is possible.
• Workplace Harassment (Me Too Movement):
• Bipartisan efforts are underway in the Senate to reform internal rules regarding sexual harassment and misconduct.
• Senator Capito is working with Senators Klobuchar, Blunt, Fischer, and Feinstein to change an “antiquated” system from the 1970s that was “negative towards the person who feels like they’ve been violated”. Mandatory training for senators and staff was implemented in December.
• Trade:
• Senator Angus King expresses “strong agreement with President Trump on trade,” believing the U.S. has not adequately advocated for itself and has faced “one-sided trade agreements” that disadvantage American companies without similar labor or environmental protections.

Obstacles and Challenges to Bipartisanship

Despite the identified areas for cooperation, several factors significantly hinder bipartisan efforts:

• Partisan Tone and Rhetoric:
• Kellyanne Conway states that bipartisanship is “the only way to function in this town and as a democracy”. However, Ari Fleischer notes President Trump’s tendency to “get a penalty flag for unnecessary roughness” after accomplishments, and Donna Brazile questions if he will remain a “divider in chief” or become a “commander in chief”.
• Senator Capito directly criticizes the President’s “tone” on Twitter, calling it a “distraction” from serious policymaking.
• The political environment is described as “fraught” with “election-day surprises” related to behavior allegations.
• Politicization of Key Issues:
• Nancy Pelosi describes a “massive politicization of intelligence” by the House Intelligence Committee chairman, which she sees as undermining national security and the integrity of intelligence. The White House, conversely, views the Russia investigation as a “hoax” and “excuse for losing an election”.
• The use of legislative votes, such as the abortion bill, is seen as a “showboat” tactic to “throw to their base” rather than a genuine attempt at legislation, contributing to partisan divide rather than solving problems.
• Legislative Tactics and Funding Disputes:
• Nancy Pelosi heavily criticizes the Tax Cut and Jobs Act for being rushed “with no hearings, no expert advice” and for disproportionately benefiting the wealthy, calling middle-class benefits “crumbs” or “goodies” compared to a “banquet” for the top 1%. She views this as a “dark cloud” impacting budget negotiations.
• Pelosi also highlights a pattern where the administration offers “a little teaser and a big problem” on issues like immigration and infrastructure.
• The recent government shutdown is viewed by both parties as a “misery journey” that “doesn’t serve the public”. David Urban and Eric Swalwell lament the shift from “normal order” in Congress, where spending bills were routinely passed, to going “from crisis to crisis”.
• Senate Rule Changes:
• There is ongoing discussion about whether Senate Majority Leader McConnell might reduce the procedural hurdle for legislation from 60 votes to 50 for appropriations and judicial appointments due to frustration.
• Senator Angus King strongly warns against such changes, calling it a “grave mistake” that would undermine bipartisanship and eventually be used against the party in power, leading to a “downward spiral”.
• Political Strategy and Election Focus:
• Kellyanne Conway believes the Democratic “obstruct, resist” strategy failed in 2016 and is not the “best strategy” for future elections.
• There’s a constant tension between unifying rhetoric and the desire for candidates to campaign to their base, with Donna Brazile expecting President Trump to revert to his “populist firebrand” style.
• The looming midterm elections drive partisan behavior, with leaders often “throw[ing] to their base” through specific votes.

In essence, while there are clear policy areas where a bipartisan consensus could be achieved due to shared national interests (like infrastructure and the opioid crisis), the entrenched political strategies, polarized rhetoric, and legislative tactics often create significant barriers that prevent meaningful cross-aisle cooperation. The sources indicate a desire for “normalcy” and “unifying” leadership, but also a deep skepticism about whether such a pivot can be sustained.

Trump’s Presidency: Policies, Challenges, and Public Perception

Donald Trump’s presidency, as discussed in the sources, is characterized by both significant policy initiatives and accomplishments, particularly in its first year, and persistent challenges stemming from its unique communication style and the highly polarized political environment.

Key Areas and Initiatives:

• Economic Accomplishments: The administration frequently touts the Tax Cut and Jobs Act as a major achievement, asserting that it has benefited “upwards of 3 million people already” and 274 companies, leading to direct investments, raises, and bonuses for employees. Republicans are expected to campaign on this tax cut, pointing to companies like Apple bringing jobs and repatriating wealth as a direct result. The economy is also described as having a strong stock market, near-full employment, and a GDP hovering around 3%. Manufacturing confidence is up, and there are reported 200,000 new manufacturing jobs. Kellyanne Conway states that the president’s economic policies are “going to carry the day” in terms of popularity. Ari Fleischer views tax reform as a substantial accomplishment that can broaden the president’s base.
• Immigration: The White House proposed a framework that includes a path to citizenship for 1.8 million DACA recipients, or “Dreamers”. This offer is described by David Urban as “incredible,” something neither President Bush, Obama, nor Clinton could achieve due to caucus disagreements. However, the framework also includes a redline of $25 billion for enhanced border security, including a wall and other measures, and proposes ending chain migration and the visa lottery system. While Democrats are open to resources for border security, including some “physical structure,” Nancy Pelosi strongly opposes a 2,000-mile, $25 billion wall, calling it “ineffective, too expensive, almost immoral”. Senator Angus King emphasizes the challenge of keeping the focus “narrow” on DACA and border security, warning that expanding to “all of their agenda on immigration” would make a deal “very difficult”.
• Infrastructure: This is consistently cited as an area with “great promise” for bipartisan cooperation. Nancy Pelosi acknowledges that infrastructure has “never been a source of partisan disagree[ment]” and is vital for job creation, commerce, and quality of life. Both Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Angus King highlight shared interests in modernizing transportation systems and rural broadband initiatives, calling the latter a “huge one”. However, Pelosi criticizes the administration’s proposed “$200 billion—that’s over 10 years–$20 billion a year” plan as a “mini plan,” insufficient for the “trillions of dollars of deficit” cited by civil engineers. She also raises concerns that the plan burdens states and cities while subsidizing the private sector through tolls, making taxpayers pay twice. Eric Swalwell notes that the recent tax cuts have made funding significant infrastructure spending more challenging.
• Opioid Crisis: The opioid crisis is explicitly labeled a “nonpartisan issue in search of bipartisan solutions”. Both Senator King and Senator Capito emphasize its severity in their respective states and see it as an area where “presidential leadership is critically needed” and cooperation is possible.
• Workplace Harassment (Me Too Movement): Senator Capito is involved in bipartisan efforts in the Senate to reform internal rules regarding sexual harassment and misconduct, working to change an “antiquated” system from the 1970s that was “negative towards the person who feels like they’ve been violated”. Mandatory training for senators and staff was implemented in December.
• Trade: Senator Angus King expresses “strong agreement with President Trump on trade,” believing the U.S. has not adequately advocated for itself and has faced “one-sided trade agreements” that disadvantage American companies without similar labor or environmental protections.
• Afghanistan Policy: Kellyanne Conway points to President Trump’s Afghanistan policy speech in August as an example of his “openness and flexibility,” noting a diversion from his campaign stance after consulting with generals and his national security team.

Communication Style and Public Perception:

• “Disruptor” vs. “Uniter”: The president was elected to “break some china and shake things up” because many people were unhappy with the status quo in Washington. However, there’s a strong desire from some, like Ari Fleischer, for the president to be “normal” and “unify us, talk about bigger things that unite a country”. Donna Brazile questions whether he will remain a “divider in chief” or become a “commander in chief,” noting his tendency to revert to his “populist firebrand” style rather than a unifying one.
• Tone and Rhetoric: Senator Capito criticizes the President’s “tone” on Twitter, calling it a “distraction” from serious policymaking. Ari Fleischer notes that after accomplishments, President Trump often “gets a penalty flag for unnecessary roughness” due to his spontaneous remarks. Kellyanne Conway, however, asserts that the president is the “president of all Americans,” not just his base.
• Twitter Use: The president’s reliance on Twitter is noted, but it’s questioned whether it goes “skin deep and often hurt himself”. Donna Brazile suggests that while it makes for conversation, it can bring “anxiety for every day working people” and can be seen as lacking strategy, especially concerning sensitive international issues.
• Popularity: While President Trump maintains high popularity in states like West Virginia and parts of Maine that voted overwhelmingly for him, his overall national popularity is cited as a factor influencing Democratic willingness to cooperate. His base is perceived as appreciating his direct communication and perceived fight for them, even if there are no accomplishments.

Obstacles and Challenges:

• Partisan Environment: The political environment is described as “fraught” with “election-day surprises” related to behavior allegations. There’s an ongoing challenge to bridge the divide on Capitol Hill. Ari Fleischer laments instances where Democrats refuse to attend the State of the Union, calling it part of the “destructive atmosphere of Washington”.
• Government Shutdowns: The recent government shutdown is seen by both parties as a “misery journey” that “doesn’t serve the public” and a symptom of going “from crisis to crisis” in Congress rather than following “normal order”.
• Russia Investigation: The Russia investigation is a persistent “shadow” over the presidency. The White House views it as a “hoax” and “excuse for losing an election”. Nancy Pelosi describes a “massive politicization of intelligence” by the House Intelligence Committee chairman, which she views as undermining national security and the integrity of intelligence. There’s a strong desire from the administration to “wash Russia-fever out of your system”.
• Legislative Tactics: Pelosi criticizes the Tax Cut and Jobs Act for being rushed “with no hearings, no expert advice” and for disproportionately benefiting the wealthy, calling middle-class benefits “crumbs” or “goodies” compared to a “banquet” for the top 1%. She also highlights a pattern where the administration offers “a little teaser and a big problem” on issues like immigration and infrastructure. The use of votes on issues like the abortion bill is seen as a “showboat” tactic to “throw to their base” rather than genuine legislation.
• Senate Rules: There’s discussion about whether Senate Majority Leader McConnell might reduce the procedural hurdle for legislation or judicial appointments from 60 votes to 50. Senator Angus King strongly warns against such changes, calling it a “grave mistake” that would undermine bipartisanship and eventually be used against the party in power, leading to a “downward spiral”.
• Accountability and Follow-Through: While the president has had accomplishments like tax cuts, some promises, such as building a wall or repealing Obamacare, have not fully materialized. Eric Swalwell suggests that the upcoming election will be a “check and balance election,” where Americans assess whether Congress can collaborate with the president where it helps them and hold him accountable where needed.

In summary, President Trump’s first year was marked by a bold, often unconventional approach to policy and communication, leading to legislative victories like tax reform and a strong economy. However, this has also been met with significant resistance and criticism regarding the tone of political discourse, concerns over the politicization of government institutions, and ongoing partisan gridlock, particularly on complex issues like immigration and infrastructure where bipartisan solutions are desired but hard to achieve. The sources suggest a constant tension between the desire for unifying leadership and the President’s tendency to appeal to his base.

American Political Landscape: Challenges, Cooperation, and Midterms

The political landscape, as described in the sources and our conversation, is characterized by a highly polarized and often contentious environment, yet it also presents opportunities for bipartisan cooperation on specific issues, alongside significant challenges related to presidential communication, ongoing investigations, and legislative processes. The upcoming 2018 midterm elections loom large, influencing political strategies and discussions.

Here’s a breakdown of the political landscape:

• Partisan Polarization and Disruption:
• The political environment is described as “fraught” with “election-day surprises” and behavioral allegations impacting both parties.
• President Trump was elected as a “disrupter” to “break some china and shake things up” due to widespread unhappiness with the status quo in Washington.
• However, there’s a strong desire for the president to be “normal” and “unify us, talk about bigger things that unite a country”. Donna Brazile questions whether he will remain a “divider in chief” or become a “commander in chief,” noting his tendency to revert to his “populist firebrand” style.
• The “destructive atmosphere of Washington” is highlighted by instances like Democrats refusing to attend the State of the Union.
• The lack of bipartisan support for major legislation like the Affordable Care Act and the recent tax bill means “legislation is better if it’s formed that way” through negotiation.
• Opportunities for Bipartisan Cooperation:
• Immigration: The DACA issue has created “genuine energy toward getting something done”. The White House proposed a framework including a path to citizenship for 1.8 million “Dreamers,” which David Urban calls an “incredible offer”. Democrats are open to resources for border security, including some “physical structure,” but oppose a 2,000-mile, $25 billion wall as “ineffective, too expensive, almost immoral”. Senator Angus King stresses the challenge of keeping the focus “narrow” on DACA and border security to achieve a deal.
• Infrastructure: This is consistently cited as having “great promise” for bipartisan agreement. Nancy Pelosi acknowledges that infrastructure has “never been a source of partisan disagree[ment]” and is vital for job creation and quality of life. Both Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Angus King highlight shared interests in modernizing transportation and rural broadband initiatives, calling the latter a “huge one”. However, Pelosi criticizes the administration’s proposed $200 billion plan as insufficient and burdensome for states and cities, while potentially subsidizing the private sector through tolls. Eric Swalwell notes the recent tax cuts make significant infrastructure spending more challenging.
• Opioid Crisis: This is explicitly labeled a “nonpartisan issue in search of bipartisan solutions”. Senator King emphasizes its severity in his state, noting “presidential leadership is critically needed” and cooperation is possible.
• Workplace Harassment: Senator Capito is involved in bipartisan efforts in the Senate to reform “antiquated” internal rules regarding sexual harassment and misconduct, with mandatory training for senators and staff implemented in December.
• Trade: Senator Angus King expresses “strong agreement with President Trump on trade,” believing the U.S. has not adequately advocated for itself in “one-sided trade agreements”.
• Persistent Obstacles and Challenges:
• Government Shutdowns: The recent shutdown is viewed as a “misery journey” that “doesn’t serve the public” and a symptom of going “from crisis to crisis” rather than following “normal order” in Congress.
• Russia Investigation: The Russia investigation is a persistent “shadow” over the presidency. The White House views it as a “hoax” and an “excuse for losing an election”. Nancy Pelosi describes a “massive politicization of intelligence” by the House Intelligence Committee chairman, which she views as undermining national security. The administration expresses a strong desire to “wash Russia-fever out of your system”.
• Legislative Tactics: Pelosi criticizes the Tax Cut and Jobs Act for being rushed “with no hearings, no expert advice” and for disproportionately benefiting the wealthy, calling middle-class benefits “crumbs” or “goodies” compared to a “banquet” for the top 1%. She also highlights a pattern of “a little teaser and a big problem” on issues like immigration and infrastructure. The use of votes on issues like the abortion bill is seen as a “showboat” tactic to “throw to their base” rather than genuine legislation.
• Senate Rules: There’s ongoing discussion about whether Senate Majority Leader McConnell might reduce procedural hurdles (like the 60-vote threshold for legislation or the blue slip process for judicial appointments). Senator Angus King strongly warns against such changes, calling it a “grave mistake” that would undermine bipartisanship and eventually be used against the party in power, leading to a “downward spiral”.
• Presidential Communication and Public Perception:
• Tone and Rhetoric: Senator Capito criticizes the President’s “tone” on Twitter, calling it a “distraction” from serious policymaking. Ari Fleischer notes that after accomplishments, President Trump often “gets a penalty flag for unnecessary roughness” due to his spontaneous remarks.
• Twitter Use: The president’s reliance on Twitter is noted, but it’s questioned whether it goes “skin deep and often hurt himself”. Donna Brazile suggests that while it makes for conversation, it can bring “anxiety for every day working people”.
• Popularity: While President Trump maintains high popularity in states like West Virginia and parts of Maine that voted overwhelmingly for him, his national popularity influences Democratic willingness to cooperate. His base is perceived as appreciating his direct communication and perceived fight for them, even if there are no accomplishments.
• Accountability: There is discussion about the importance of “follow through” on promises, with Eric Swalwell suggesting the upcoming election will be a “check and balance election,” where Americans assess whether Congress can collaborate with the president where it helps them and hold him accountable where needed.
• 2018 Midterm Elections:
• Democrats feel “quite bullish” about taking back the House, supported by historical trends where the party in power suffers losses in midterm elections and a “historically unpopular president”.
• The tax cut is seen as the “centerpiece of the domestic agenda” for Republicans to campaign on, highlighting benefits like Apple bringing jobs and other companies making investments.
• Factors like ongoing congressional retirements and potential “election-day surprises” related to behavior allegations (Me Too Movement) are considered “wild cards” in the election.
• Democrats emphasize the importance of candidates having a strong connection to their districts and presenting their own “hopes, dreams, purpose” rather than just running against Donald Trump.
• The “resistance is growing,” and millions of citizens who did not vote for the president have grown “increasingly frustrated”.

In essence, the political landscape is a complex interplay of policy achievements (like tax reform and economic growth), aspirational goals (like infrastructure and immigration reform), fundamental disagreements, and a dynamic communication style, all set against the backdrop of an impending election cycle.

State of the Union: Bipartisan Hopes and Hurdles

Here are the titles of the discussions and two paragraphs of detail for each, as presented in the provided newspaper excerpt:

White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway previews the State of the Union address Kellyanne Conway states that the president is crafting a bipartisan, forward-looking speech that aims to be positive in tone and content. This speech will reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, but more importantly, it seeks to establish a connection between these achievements and the everyday lives, businesses, and aspirations of Americans, serving as a framework for collaborative efforts in 2018. She highlights a recent 55-minute unscripted meeting in the Cabinet Room with a bipartisan and bicameral group of legislators on immigration as an example of the president’s openness and flexibility, which she believes promotes transparency, accountability, and democracy. She also cites the shift in the president’s Afghanistan policy from his campaign stance, after consulting with his generals and national security team, as another demonstration of this flexibility.

Conway emphasizes that bipartisanship is crucial for the functioning of Washington and democracy itself, pointing to the recent government shutdown as proof that bipartisan cooperation, requiring 60 votes in the Senate, was necessary to reopen the government. She details the White House’s proposed immigration framework, which offers a resolution for 1.8 million DACA recipients and includes $25 billion for enhanced border security, stating that border security, including the wall, is the president’s “redline”. Conway clarifies that the president views his “base” as the entire country and asserts that the Tax Cut and Jobs Act is already directly benefiting millions of Americans and 274 companies, extending its positive impact beyond just his electoral supporters. She also mentions that she works on “nonpartisan issues in search of bipartisan solutions,” such as the opioid crisis.

One-on-One with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi affirms that an agreement on immigration, specifically regarding Dreamers and border security, is necessary and achievable. She notes that a broader comprehensive immigration reform would require more time and is a bigger subject. Pelosi expresses disappointment with the president’s inconsistent stance on immigration, arguing that his current framework does not align with America’s historical identity as a nation continually revitalized by immigrants. She acknowledges that Democrats are open to allocating resources for border security, recognizing it as a fundamental responsibility for any country.

However, Pelosi strongly distinguishes between various border protection measures and the concept of a “wall,” opposing a 2,000-mile, $25 billion physical wall as “ineffective, too expensive, almost immoral” due to its potential impact on cross-border communities. She criticizes the president’s proposed $200 billion infrastructure plan as insufficient given the trillions of dollars in deficit for American infrastructure, and argues that it unfairly burdens state and local governments while potentially subsidizing the private sector through tolls, effectively making taxpayers pay twice. Pelosi also expresses concerns about the “massive politicization of intelligence” by the House Intelligence Committee chairman, which she views as seriously undermining national security and the integrity of intelligence.

State of the Union 2018 predictions from Donna Brazile, Ari Fleischer, Eric Swalwell and David Urban Congressman Eric Swalwell hopes the president’s State of the Union address will speak to the millions of Americans who are not yet experiencing the benefits of the current economy, despite positive indicators like the stock market and low unemployment, as many still struggle with financial emergencies and increasing debt. Ari Fleischer wishes for a “normal” president who unifies the country and addresses broader themes that unite Americans, observing that President Trump’s spontaneous remarks often result in “penalty flag[s] for unnecessary roughness” despite his accomplishments. Donna Brazile questions whether the president will use the speech to present himself as a “commander in chief” or if he will revert to his “divider in chief” persona, noting his past tendency to return to his “populist firebrand” style after attempting to reset his image.

David Urban anticipates an “aspirational Donald Trump” in the speech, similar to his well-received joint address to Congress last year, recognizing the inherent difficulty of simultaneously being a disruptor and a uniter. Swalwell concurs that the president’s bipartisan meeting on immigration was a highlight of his presidency but lamented his inability to maintain that collaborative approach. The panel discusses the persistent “cloud” of the Russia investigation, with Urban dismissing it as “nonsense” and a “Democratic excuse,” while Brazile and Swalwell emphasize its importance as a matter of foreign interference in democracy that needs to be addressed for future election security. Fleischer suggests that if the president’s national popularity were to rise to about 50%, it would significantly pressure Democrats in Trump states to vote with him.

Senators discuss the outlook for bipartisanship on Capitol Hill Senator Angus King notes that the DACA issue has generated “genuine energy toward getting something done” due to its importance for both sides, leading to increased bipartisan cooperation within the “Common Sense Caucus” in the Senate. Senator Shelley Moore Capito agrees, attributing the recent shift towards cooperation to a shared realization that government shutdowns are a “misery journey” that serve neither the public nor policymakers. Both senators identify infrastructure as an area with “great promise” for bipartisan agreement, citing universal interest in modernizing transportation systems and expanding rural broadband access.

Senator King also points to the opioid crisis as a “nonpartisan issue in search of bipartisan solutions,” emphasizing the critical need for presidential leadership given its severe impact on states like his and West Virginia. Capito hopes for a strong, uniting speech from the president, focusing on economic accomplishments. Regarding Senate rules, King strongly warns against changes that would reduce procedural hurdles, like the 60-vote threshold or the “blue slip” process for judicial appointments, calling such moves a “grave mistake” that would ultimately be used against the party in power and undermine the necessary negotiation for better legislation. Capito expresses her primary disagreement with the president’s “tone” on Twitter, finding it a “distraction” from serious policymaking and counterproductive to achieving bipartisan goals.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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