Miner Queries | Cherie Miner

On Sept. 24, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C opened. The newest addition to the Smithsonian, it’s the only national museum devoted exclusively to documenting African American life, history and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote the contributions of African Americans.  President George W. Bush signed the legislation to make the museum a reality.

So he and former first lady Laura Bush were with President and First Lady Obama during the museum’s opening ceremonies. But it was a photo of Michelle Obama hugging President Bush during the festivities that captured attention last weekend. 

As Mark Landler of the New York Times wrote, “However one chose to interpret it — and overinterpretation is a hazard in such exercises — it became an instant metaphor. Some saw the lost virtue of civility in politics; others, the unlikely friendships that blossom at the rarefied heights of public life.”

I would call it the reality of public life – you work with the people who show up willing to assist. So that means moving on from previous disagreements and digs, to say the least. 

For example, during the 2008 presidential campaign I was astounded to learn President Bill Clinton sat down for a lunch meeting with Richard Mellon Scaife. Scaife was one of the major financial backers of the long-running Whitewater investigation, which never uncovered any wrongdoing by the Clintons, contrary to many media reports and voters’ memories. 

Clinton was willing to talk with Scaife, who was looking at whom to support in that presidential race, about Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Scaife was a key figure in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

Additionally, in the current presidential race, David Brock agreed to lead a pro-Clinton super PAC called Correct the Record. Like Scaife, Brock was also part of the effort to destroy the Clintons’ public image via Whitewater and other investigations.

So when Hillary Clinton says she is willing to work with Democrats and Republicans, I believe it. 

And that is the job. You cannot be thin-skinned. You cannot be hasty. You cannot walk away from the people who have insulted you, blocked your efforts and questioned your motives. You have to be tougher than that.

You can never give up.

And that’s something both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton understand. When the 2008 primaries were over, they worked together to win the White House for Democrats. Then, Obama asked Clinton to serve as Secretary of State. In that role, Clinton logged thousands of miles and countless hours to help the administration contend with numerous international hot spots. And once again, she endured ongoing investigations yielding nothing.

Although Clinton and Obama didn’t always agree, they worked together to advance the country’s interests, listening to and advising each other.

That’s statesmanship. And that’s what I want from my next president.

If you’ve given up on politics, maybe you need President Hillary Clinton. She hasn’t given up yet – despite more vitriol and scrutiny than any candidate in history.

Cherie Miner is a local parent, community volunteer, freelance writer and artist. In a former life, she was a corporate writer and public relations professional. Contact her at news@redoakexpress.com or on Facebook.