For any of us interested in learning more about how to reach across the aisle, take a moment to read the NY Times article titled The Stay-at-Home Woman Travels Well.
While it is true that Mrs. Romney's search for common ground has been born, at least partially, out of political necessity, there are lessons for us to learn about reaching out.
In the article, reporter Jodi Kantor describes a shrimp dinner gathering for Republican women in South Carolina. Initially both Ms. Kantor and the audience, saw the differences, "she was probably the wealthiest person in the room, and according to the crowd, the prettiest too." But Mrs. Romney focused her speech on the commonalities. She spoke of her children, her battle with multiple sclerosis, while "running lightly over her husband's accomplishments, turning titles into heartwarming stories."
Mrs. Romney's ability to find common ground did not come naturally. According to this article, her inability to do so may have hurt her husband's race for the senate. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the adjectives that were used to describe her at the time, like "unapproachable and isolated", are ones that have been used to describe Mormons.
Which is why I find Mrs. Romney's story encouraging.
Despite her early difficulties, she has been able to find ways to have conversations, to find common ground.
I believe that if she can, so can we.
Related posts/articles:
So why Know Your Neighbor?
Get off the river
Leaven in the lump
Common ground: Dana King's How-To
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