During his 1966 campaign for governor of California, Ronald Reagan popularized the so-called 11th Commandment: “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.”

Right now, I’d settle for just about any version of it:

“Thou shalt not refuse to work with any fellow Republican.”

“Thou shalt not launch into pointless Twitter battles with fellow Republicans.”

“Thou shalt not ‘go to war’ with fellow Republicans.”

To be clear, speaking ill is quite different from merely disagreeing. It’s personal. Clashing over policy issues is part of effective representation in a diverse nation. Republicans are different all over the country; their federal representatives should be, as well.

Republicans have two options: Either construct a rigid ideological purity test or utilize a big tent approach that maintains the numbers to actually govern.

Unfortunately, Republicans have decided to do both…simultaneously. The party is ideologically diverse enough to control the House, Senate and White House, but legislators seem dumbfounded by the necessity of being ideologically flexible within their own party.

The result is a broken GOP that struggles to form a governing legislative majority.

The House is passing bills that can’t find traction in the Senate, the Senate is stuck explaining why it can’t really do anything and President Donald Trump is picking fights with the media, National Football League players and members of his own party.

If you want to see how personally divisive Republicans have become, just look at the treatment of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Republicans are treating him like he’s a national traitor. He was literally beaten and tortured fighting for America. He’s earned a degree of respect, no matter how much some Republicans reject his policy views.

Working together can’t simply mean the conservative grassroots component of the party needs to cede ground. Many Republican congressional leaders don’t seem to understand how tired Republican voters are of recycled ideas and talking points. They’re not even trying to open up public debate with Democrats, allowing for both sides to offer amendments to legislation or considering much else that might depart from business as usual in D.C.  In fact, proceedings in D.C. are disappointingly familiar to many Republicans.

If that weren’t enough, Trump is so frustrated with his own that he’s exploring his options with Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., are more than happy to take his calls while they watch Republicans set themselves on fire.

Reagan must be rolling in his grave.

Republicans should take a look at Reagan’s speeches, read about him, and try to learn from a politician who brought a nation together in so many ways. He also knew a thing or two about handling Russians.

Reagan loved all of America. He didn’t love 50 percent plus one. He wasn’t looking to crush and personally humiliate those who disagreed with him. He didn’t believe America was at odds with the rest of the world; he expected us to lead it.

Republicans at are a historical high-water mark with respect to the offices they hold. Conservatives, libertarians and even more-moderate Republicans have more opportunities to shape policy than they have in a long time. If Republicans can’t even treat each other civilly according to the 11th Commandment, they’ll squander the ability to shape America’s future.

If that missed opportunity isn’t enough to work through intraparty differences, just imagine Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., joining Schumer and Pelosi warming themselves this winter by the bonfire of the Republicans.


Image by mark reinstein

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