Decency.
In politics, it doesn’t make headlines very often.
What we see more of is back-biting and low blows, sometimes in ways we feel like we didn’t see years ago.
So here is a story about decency. In politics. Between Republicans and Democrats.
It happened on a vote, helping to advance Mike Pompeo to his position as secretary of state.
“When my best friend died last week, John A. Williams' family asked me to do the eulogy at his funeral," said Johnny Isakson, Georgia's senior U.S. senator. "I called Washington and told them I’d be late, and if you don’t like it, it’s too bad. You don’t get many chances to say good-bye to your best friend.”
But Isakson’s absence also meant Republicans were missing a crucial “yes” vote in Pompeo's nomination, which threatened to delay his confirmation process.
That’s when decency prevailed. U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, changed his vote.
“So Chris said, ‘I’d be glad to do it for you,'" Isakson said. “He voted 'present' rather than 'no' on the Pompeo nomination. Pompeo was nominated because Chris Coons is a great American and my good friend.”
The gesture struck a chord with veteran U.S. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee. “I want to thank Sen. Coons for displaying the statesmanship that I’ve been accustomed to seeing in the Senate," Corker said.
"I’m happy for the American people. I think it showed senators, at the right time, can do outstanding things.”
We think this should be a story to highlight as much as the low blows and back biting. It is an example of the power of decency in politics.
With more of that decency on all sides, perhaps more can get done.
