Can Hugs Help Representative Democracy?
A hug in Illinois sent shock waves throughout the state yesterday. Could this be a new tool for lawmakers across the nation to consider when trying to reach compromise?
The hug heard throughout the state occurred when, according to the Chicago Tribune, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Gov. Rod Blagojevich--urged by Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. in front of a Democrat delegation meeting in Denver--hugged. Tension between the two state leaders is well-documented.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports the hug was a chain reaction started by remarks offered by Rep. Robby Rush, who is recovering from radical cancer surgery. Jackson followed suit by asking for a hug from someone he has publicly battled with in the past. Asking if anyone else was mad at him, Mayor Richard Daley immediately jumps up, hugs Jackson and brings the congressman to tears. Jackson then asks for the Madigan-Blagojevich hug.
The Chicago Tribune even wrote an editorial about "the orgy of hugging," proudly noting how reporter Rick Pearson "demurred" when the governor offered him a hug.
Will the governor and the House Speaker's relationship thaw out and have an impact on the 2009 legislative session? If so, does that mean we'll see more hugs in the corridors of the nation's Capitols next year?
Update, 9/6/08: Today's Capitolfaxblog reports that Illinois Republicans know how to hug, too:
State Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, of Greenville, took the makeshift stage at the final morning breakfast for the Illinois delegation and hugged state Rep. Jim Durkin of Westchester, his co-chair for U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in Illinois.
“You know what the difference is? We mean it. We mean it,” Watson, who sounded possibly a bit overcaffinated, shouted to the audience. Then, inspired by the moment, he challenged the crowd.
“Why doesn’t everybody just get up and hug their neighbor, huh? Let’s talk about togetherness. Let’s get together. Grab your neighbor and hug. There’s nothing wrong with that. Let’s have some excitement around here,” Watson chanted to the audience.
“Let’s show the Democrats they’re not the only ones that can do the hugging. Republicans love each other. We can be all about togetherness. We can move ahead. We’re going to take this nation back. Let’s get together,” he said.
After members of the audience stood to hug their neighbors, Watson laughed and said, “I’m glad to see that actually worked. … “I’m shocked. I didn’t think it would actually work.”
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