Generally speaking, as usual, Washington, D.C., is a mess. Discord reigns, bickering replaces substance, and drama dominates issues in which most folks have no interest.
But put that aside for a few quick tales of — gasp — potential cooperation.
Let’s start with an unusual budding relationship between Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Walz and Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer.
Walz, from Mankato, and Emmer, from Delano, represent neighboring Minnesota districts and, in recent months, have acted like actual friends. Not just political “friends” but people who really like each other.
“That has been one of the pleasures of this new Congress. While there have been a lot of frustrations, I really have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Tom,” Walz said. “I think, for whatever reason, we hit it off pretty well.”
The two, who disagree on many political issues, competed in a pro-hunting event (Emmer bested Walz, the Democrat said), have co-sponsored veterans’ legislation and met with veterans and VA staffers together.
“There are things in life that are nonpartisan,” Emmer said.
They even joined Minnesota’s Theater of Public Policy in D.C. last month to crack some jokes. So alike were they, Walz and Emmer dressed, accidentally, identically.
“The only thing that was missing, I needed those smart man glasses that he wears,” Emmer said. “It was a lot of fun. He’s got a good sense of humor. It’s a Minnesota sense of humor — we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”
Such bipartisanship is not unheard-of in Washington but, Walz said, it is unusual — and could benefit Minnesota. Although neither member mentioned it, the friendship could also benefit both men politically. Having a buddy on the other side of the aisle helps burnish the cooperative credentials general election voters tend to want from their lawmakers.
Minnesota also could make less-personal news of cooperation.
There’s an outside chance retiring U.S. Rep. John Kline, a Republican from Burnsville, could become the first Minnesotan to be Speaker of the U.S. House.
It is not a likely possibility but nothing that has happened in the speakership world has been likely over the last three weeks.
Late last month, Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, stunned allies and opponents by announcing he would resign. The expected jockeying to replace him began with the pendulum largely swinging toward House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California.
Then, last week, McCarthy said he was withdrawing from the speaker’s race.
The pendulum of leadership swung wildly. This time, it has landed on Rep. Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin. But Ryan has not said he is interested in the job. He hasn’t said he absolutely is not. But so far he has not cozied up to it publicly.
Now comes the Minnesota-cooperation part of the story:
In the quest for a new speaker, there have been some swings toward Minnesota’s own John Kline. Kline, a former military man and a conservative not known for bomb throwing, might be the ideal caretaker speaker. The thinking goes that he has already announced his retirement and would have no aims on the job for good.
For his part, Kline isn’t talking except to say through a spokesman that he is supporting Ryan, who, remember, has not yet said he is running. In politics, we call that “not a no,” which leaves open the possibility that Kline could be the next speaker.
Walz says that might not be a bad thing.
“I said very, very early on that John Kline would be an option for them and they could actually get out of this and many of us would see as a way forward,” Walz said. The Democratic congressman said he could vote for a Republican coalition-builder.
“Personally I take it very seriously and would be willing to do that,” he said. But that idea is still unlikely. “When I say that in D.C., they act that like it’s fairy dust or something.”
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger’s political column appears on Wednesdays. Email her at rstassen-berger@pioneerpress.com or follow her at twitter.com/rachelsb.
