Civility still exists in politics

I am working on Harry Welty's campaign for the 8th Congressional District seat in Minnesota. I have had occasion to deal with workers or relatives of Harry's two opponents, Democrat Jim Oberstar and Republican Rod Grams.

Harry and I both know Don Ness, Duluth City Councilor and local office manager for Jim Oberstar. Don's friendliness to all is widely known in Duluth. It has not changed at all towards Harry and me since we started working to take his job away. He still gives us a firm handshake, his trademark smile, and easy conversation.

I ordered a sequence of ads at a radio station owned by Rod Grams and his wife. Chris Grams, the general manager of Little Falls Radio, has been prompt and courteous in all the emails we have exchanged. The only problem we had was an interpretation of the humongous Federal Election Commission Regulations, well over 500 pages. When she heard Harry's ad on the air, she decided it was missing a required statement and she should withdraw it. After a few more emails between us she decided to continue running it.

So there is a glimmer of hope that after all the charges and counter-charges of campaigns, those who serve in elected office will limit their partisanship and get down to the business of governing our country.