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Politicians enact policies that have real-world consequences for the people they serve, so political coverage often results in serious people speaking with serious voices. This is completely appropriate, but also exhausting at times. So it’s a welcome break and every once in a while, they get a chance to relax. The annual Gridiron Dinner is one such opportunity. The Gridiron Club is a collective of national media and journalists who gather once a year to poke fun at themselves and politicians. This year, the club welcomed Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and while we won’t attempt to capture the humor, we wanted to share Governor Cox’s closing remarks :
- In all sincerity, much of what is truly great about America comes from a free press with its sacred duty to expose the facts and tell the truth no matter what. Even if that means choosing substance over clicks. Even if the facts conflict with the reader’s biases. Especially when the truth conflicts with your own truth. To those who are committed to this ideal, to creating the “first draft of history” that is unfolding around us, thank you. We desperately need you. Having the courage to tell the truth to each other is a sign of our mutual respect. Yes, democracy dies in darkness. But if there are no brave people to defend it, it may also die in broad daylight.
- I currently have the unique opportunity of serving as President of the National Governors Association. The NGA is one of the last bastions of bipartisanship. As Chairman, I launched an initiative called Better Dissent with the sole purpose of working to depolarize our country and help Americans remember how to disagree without hating each other. Sadly, we have too many politicians acting as conflict entrepreneurs. They have figured out how to exploit fear and division to gain power. I’m grateful to the dozens of governors who have joined me in finding ways to lower the temperature and bring us back together.
- I believe each of you plays an equally profound role in working to heal our deeply polarized country. Sadly, some in your industry have discovered that promoting extremes, assuming malice, and inciting contempt are great ways to get clicks. Anger sells. But anger can never convince. It will never solve our biggest problems. In a world full of arsonists, we desperately need some architects.
- The good news is there is a market for something different. 70% of Americans (an exhausted majority) hate what is happening in politics and media today. It’s not too late to find a better angel. I hope that we, as politicians, and you, as journalists, will find more of this valuable quality of humility in ourselves—as Judge Learned Hand said, “The spirit of freedom is a less sure thing. Whether you have the right spirit. “
Learn more about the Better Not to Agree initiative here.
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