Washington D. C.'s Odd Couple - President Obama and Senator McCain

I note with interest and enthusiasm reports of the most unlikely
"odd couple" pairing of President Obama and his former rival for the presidency, Arizona United States Senator John McCain.

McCain is said to be in regular contact with Mr. Obama and senior White House officials in an effort to reach consensus on key issues, including immigration reform, a budget deal, and stricter background checks for those that seek to acquire lethal weapons.

Senator McCain need not agree with the president on matters of importance to our nation, and I certainly do not, but if the leaders of the two major parties do not communicate with each other and develop some level of cooperation and respect, the nation is doomed.  Gridlock is not going to get us out of the mess we are in.

Our system of governance is set up so as to generally make it impossible for one side to secure all that it seeks. Compromise is essential if the people's business is to be accomplished and the will to compromise is in short supply in today's hyper-polarized, special interest-dominated Congress.  Perhaps someone with the level of respect that is commanded by senior statesman and war hero John McCain can move some of his cohorts toward reason and practicality.

While Republican House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have demonstrated continued contempt for the president and the president having demonstrated deep-seated disdain for the GOP, it is refreshing and heartening to see Senator McCain attempting to find a meeting of the minds for the good of the nation.