JT Public Affairs Memo - November 6th, 2024
It’s the day after the election.
I have been involved in one capacity or another in every Presidential Election campaign since 1960, when at age 13, I went knocking on doors for JFK in the 4thPrecinct of the 40th Ward on Chicago’s north side. I have been privileged to work for two US Presidents, in their campaigns and while in the White House, as an advance lead.
And yes, I’d have to agree that this is far and away the most consequential election in my lifetime.
Our nation is more polarized now than at any point since the Civil War. And, while, of course I believe that one of the two candidates would have been better to address the divisions and absence of civility, while evidence indicates the other may continue to double down on grievance and anger, the truth is that no one person, even the President, can single-handedly address the deep discord we’re seeing play out in nasty ways daily.
So, today, I want to write not about the candidates, but about all of us—voters, non-voters; Ds, Rs, Is; people just trying to raise our families and live our lives.
We must all play a role if we want these deep divisions to begin to heal. And that includes corporations and unions; institutions and not-for-profits; urban, rural and suburban constituencies working together; women, men and non-binary respecting each other’s needs and agenda; young and old listening to one another; and yes, Republicans, Democrats and Independents at least trying to find ways to collaborate and get something done on the major issues facing our nation and people.
Can it happen? Yes, but only if everyone is willing to try.
I still recall President Ronald Reagan showing up at the grand opening of The Carter Center in Atlanta, finding nice things to say about his 1980 election opponent, Jimmy Carter, and then coming inside to shake hands with all of us who worked on the event. And then, I had the opportunity to advance President & Mrs. Carter at the opening of the Reagan Presidential Center.
All four Bush’s (George HW, Barbara, George W, Laura) were at the grand opening of the Clinton Presidential Center, and President George W. Bush assigned a Deputy Chief of Staff to work with our event team with instructions to “help with anything they need.”
That’s civility. That’s mutual respect. But it’s also just plain old common sense. People are frustrated at the politicians, and that may be fair. But, what about us? Are we ready to emerge from our isolated silos? Are we not just prepared, but eager to find ways to engage and listen to better understand, and then collaborate with those with whom we disagree to advance an agenda that will be good for all?
I have to say, being in the public affairs business for more than 50 years, focusing on issues, public policy and crisis management, we have seen it all – but never has it felt so nasty and raw. Communications used to make a huge difference in building understanding and bridging divides – and people looked for ways to talk and work together for common goals. Now conflict has become the norm; and, while it’s been great for our crisis management business, it certainly doesn’t feel as good as when we were working on hard things together, for the common good.
And so, I remain truly energized by client projects where we seek to bring diverse constituencies together to find common ground—like the On the Table conversations we put together for the Chicago Community Trust in the Chicago metro area, and for the Knight Foundation in urban and rural markets nationwide, and the neighborhood dialogues we’re facilitating now in River Forest to find common ground on future economic development. Or, projects seeking to restore faith and confidence in our democratic principles and shared history—for example the work we’re sharing with a Tennessee public affairs partner for Harvard University focused on history and civics education.
Increasingly these days, I’m reminded of a quote from the Italian poet, Dante: “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.” Arguably, we’ve gotten a peek at hell—with hateful language and actions this past few years. Is this the legacy we want to leave our children and grandchildren? Because it really is up to us, all of us—to leave chaos in the rearview mirror and commit to working together for a better, brighter tomorrow.
I want to close by revisiting some words from JFK’s 1961 Inaugural Address. No, not “Ask not what your country will do for you…”
Rather these words:
“So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
“Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.”
“Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.”
Rick Jasculca
Chairman