Hurricane anniversary should unify government

As victims gathered on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, the still-decimated neighborhoods where many lost family, friends and homes served as stark reminders of the work still left remaining in the relief effort.

In the midst of so much destruction, leaders at the local, state and national levels came together to demonstrate that some crises are above politics. Sometimes, cases of human pain and suffering demand that we abandon our political agendas and work together for the common good. It is a shame that such instances have become the exception these days — though certainly not a shame that we don’t get hit by more hurricanes — but remembering the cooperation and selflessness that defined the post-Sandy recovery can prevent history from repeating itself -— at least as frequently as it does now.

This effort begins by recognizing that all policies have human implications. Though the human implication of the Sandy aid package was painfully obvious, that is not so with most other policies our government examines. Budget negotiations, immigration reform and even legalization of marijuana have a powerful impact on someone, somewhere. American policies are not pieces on a chessboard, and recognizing the human factor in policymaking can help others realize that.

Seventy-nine days after the superstorm, Congressional delays were overcome and the House of Representatives voted 241 to 180 to pass a $50 billion aid bill that would give federal relief to the victims of the hurricane. Though the delay was significant, the measure remains one of the most significant policy achievements of 2013. In bipartisan fashion, Congress abandoned its split ideology and passed the measure: There was no filibuster, no Hastert rule and no attempt to repeal Obamacare along the way.

The day after Sandy, President Barack Obama and Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) talked over the phone in what was to become the first of a daily briefing on the Sandy situation over the next 10 days. Despite criticism from Congressional Republicans who were concerned the bipartisanship effort was too close to Election Day, Christie toured the state with Obama in a show of solidarity and party unity.

“That was at least four or five times I called him and said, ‘I hate to bother you with this, sir, but you told me if I needed help to call you, and Federal Emergency Management Agency is driving me crazy or the Army is driving me crazy and I don’t understand this and can you help me?” Christie said. “And each and every time that I did that, within an hour the problem was fixed.”

The unification that took place between Obama and Christie during those 10 days in October is deeply emblematic of the future of politics in America: As the GOP careens farther and farther right, Obama will be challenged to pick members of the GOP he can actually work with. Rumored presidential candidate in 2016, Christie strikes many as the new face of the GOP. And he should be.

Last week, New Jersey officially recognized gay marriage, becoming the 14th state to do so. After opposing several measures to recognize gay marriage, Christie announced his support after a decision by the New Jersey State Supreme Court decided a case that allowed them to go forward. Christie’s foresight on the question is notable, as the large majority of the GOP still stands in staunch opposition to gay marriage.

In many ways, the anniversary of Sandy is a reminder that there are reasonable politicians left in America. He might not be perfect, but Christie is a Republican who most democrats outside of New Jersey should be afraid of. He’s managed the almost impossible feat of being elected governor of a heavily Democratic state, and is expected to win in a landslide when he faces re-election next Tuesday. If the Republican Party has any sense, Christie will be their man for 2016. Ted Cruz will rant and rave, but Christie seems like the candidate who won’t back down easily. And if Christie can withstand the inevitable push to the right that primary season causes, the Republican ticket will be one to watch out for.

 

Nathaniel Haas is  a sophomore majoring in economics and political science. His column “A House Divided” runs Thursdays.

Follow Nathaniel on Twitter @Haas4Prez2036