Oklahoma offers America a lesson in manners
A state wounded by extremism tries to guard against it
Two of America's leading bipartisan political organizations were once led by Oklahomans: David Holt, former Republican mayor of Oklahoma City, and Kevin Stitt, former Republican governor of the state. These organizations demonstrate a rare sense of civility in American politics. While 81% of Democrats and 70% of Republicans expressed anger towards the opposing party last year, recent gatherings in Long Beach, California, and Oklahoma City saw attendees high-fiving and discussing the dangers of hyper-partisan politics.
Holt and Stitt, who recently stepped down from their leadership roles, have been vocal critics of President Donald Trump and have maintained friendships with Democrats. Their political careers were shaped by the 1995 bombing of a federal building in downtown Oklahoma City, which killed nearly 170 people. This event, known as the "Oklahoma Standard," marked a period of compassion and support for victims and responders.
Holt and Stitt believe that Oklahoma's response to the bombing's aftermath offers valuable lessons for America's current political climate. They advocate for reforms such as eliminating closed primary elections and promoting federalism to encourage more moderate candidates. Despite facing challenges in overcoming the incentives for political nastiness, the Oklahomans aim to serve as a positive example by fostering inclusion and rejecting political violence.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times - World News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
