They are the founders of the political “Volunteer Fire Department,” as they invite senators from both parties “to have private dinners and try to build relationships to help quell conflict.” The concept of this group is simple. Senator Alexander states that “when the Senate runs off the track, when there’s a fire, when there’s a problem, somebody rings the bell and everybody who can shows up to try to fix it. Then we all go back to our usual roles.”

For months now, around 75 senators have attended at least one of these informal, bipartisan dinners. These senators have commended the dinners for improving communication between both parties and “encouraging Democrat and Republican leaders to work through an impasse over scheduling votes on the confirmation of federal judges.” In addition, these social events allow busy politicians time to get to know their colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

With an increasing partisan divide in Washington, the “Volunteer Fire Department” is a step in the right direction for curbing this trend. Senator Alexander acknowledges that there are obvious policy disagreements, but both he and Senator Warner agree that these dinners “can only help.” And the “Volunteer Fire Department” has potential for “improving relations in the Senate.”

Why?

Certainly a bi-partisan executive branch would not be as agile in war-time, but is that the only reason our fore fathers allowed one individual to dominate an entire branch of government?

Their idea was to promote different perspectives in policy making, and a thought that all persons are being represented – why is the executive branch not included in this philosophy?

Ok, enough questions. Here’s a thought … a bi-partisan oval office where the losing candidate has a seat in the cabinet, or as vice-president.

Surely, we would not expect except the losing presidential candiate to have any real power, but many members at the Statesman Group see little wrong with offering that person a voice in the White House – even if at times he or she is locked out in the hall way. A different perspective in the oval office could have an immense impact. What would be different if Al Gore was George W. Bush’s vice-president?  Imagine if John McCain was included in Barack Obama’s cabinet?

There are certain issues (like ascendancy problems, and willingness on both sides) but a different perspective in the oval office could be beneficial enough where finding a realistic solution is worth considering.