It was a low point in American politics, or at least that's how it seemed to be seen by liberals and conservatives alike at an unusual debate viewing party in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Hundreds of viewers were at the Braver Angels rally on the campus of Carthage College, where they relentlessly assessed both candidates' performances, and the message heard from both Democrats and Republicans as the debate ended was, “We want better, we deserve better.”
This bipartisan consensus was born out of the candidates' name-calling, name-calling, and inability to address substantive issues — as one observer aptly described the debate as playing out like two high school kids having a schoolyard argument.
So why did I leave the debate feeling hopeful?
Because after the debate, Democrats and Republicans who shared my disappointment quickly pivoted to a more constructive direction of finding solutions through civil debate.
By bringing political opponents together to discuss issues, Braver Angels knows how to reach civil solutions, and the organization wants to get the rest of the county involved.
The Braver Angels conference brought together 300 conservatives and 300 liberals, along with about 170 independents, who spent the weekend discussing important issues like abortion, learning each other's perspectives and finding common ground.
None of us were particularly nice or optimistic. We worked together because Braver Angels has a special framework for turning political “enemies” into productive dialogue. That framework is both a set of principles and a set of practices.
“We believe that everyone has blind spots and that no one is not worth talking to,” explains Braver Angels President David Blankenhorn.
Andrew Harnick/Getty Images
Braver Angels holds workshops on how to have difficult conversations and trainings on how to participate in constructive debates. Participants learn to listen to arguments about issues without listening to slander. When they participate in a debate, they realize that “those people” on the other side are not extreme people. That's because, contrary to perception, most Americans describe themselves as moderate (34%) or “somewhat” liberal or conservative (50%).
When people are able to express their views and be listened to, especially by their political opponents, something seems to be fulfilling. Anger tends to subside and is sometimes replaced by curiosity. Solutions that were previously unthinkable may begin to emerge.
Many at the debate viewing party expressed relief that Braver Angels offered a different approach to the carnage they witnessed. They believe the organization has a way of addressing the tribalism that is dividing the country.
“If the world [our broken politics]”We intend to do that,” said Barbara Thomas, a former U.S. diplomat and chief operating officer of Braver Angels. “We know our methods work.”
She just wants the rest of the country to get on board.
Stell Simonton worked for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for 19 years before becoming a freelance journalist. She joined Braver Angels Georgia two years ago.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, seeking common ground and finding connections.
