Political system poses obstacle to finding common ground: communication is key.

Will newly elected moderates help edge Congress away from its often harsh partisan divisions?

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Don't bet on it.

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, elected last fall in Missouri, was expected to be among a handful of moderate Democrats who would push their party toward the political middle, but McCaskill said the nastiness of today's Senate campaigns spills over once the winners take office and leaves them not inclined to feel charitable toward the other party.

"It doesn't feel like we're finding common ground on Iraq in Washington. In fact, it doesn't feel like we're finding common ground on much" she said.

McCaskill joined U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt, R-Kansas, and Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan in a discussion headlined "The New Political Figure: Social Conservatives and Liberals (occasionally) Find Common Ground to Reunite America" during the NCEW convention in Kansas City.

For Tiahrt, one key issue is for officeholders to remain civil even when unable to find agreement. He cited several issues where liberals and conservatives might not be that far apart, such as economic questions, and he said the country needs consensus on how to compete in the global economy.

"For me," he said, "it's as important as the war on terror."

The political system, however, doesn't reward risk taking on social issues, he said.

McCaskill echoed that idea.

"It takes courage to compromise," she said. "It takes courage to disappoint your [political] base."

Tiahrt put it this way: To fundamentally change Congress, those who believe more government is needed have to look at that differently and those who prefer less government need to acknowledge its necessary role.

"You have to actively pursue common he said.

McCaskill said some of the problem is what she called simple--people and communication. Too often, she said, those in Congress just don't get to know the folks on the other side of the aisle.

"Communication is the key, really being able to talk to people" she said.

As a freshman senator, McCaskill said she's been on a steep learning curve. "There are really three parties in Washington," she said. "There are Republicans, Democrats, and the appropriators."

And, Tiahrt said, partisanship in Congress has seeped into the appropriations process, too.

Carnahan pointed out that many government functions, including most of those her office carries out, have no partisan or ideological baggage. Three-fourths of the calls her office receives, she said, are from seniors who have been scammed. They just want the government to do something.

Further reading, Carnahan mentioned The Aspen Institute, www.aspeninstitute.org. Tiahrt recommended Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That is Destroying America by Cal Thomas and Bob Beckel.

Jeff Fox is the opinion page editor of The Examiner in Independence, Missouri. Email: jeff.fox@examiner.net