Thread by @HMAesq

Today, a voter asked me, "Let's say the Dems take the House and the Senate in Richmond. What will you then do to make policy that reaches across the aisle?"

#Hassan4VA

He was asking about bipartisanship, of course. I took the question to also mean, "What will you do to make sure we don't lose the majority as soon as we win it?"

Yes, bipartisan legislation is the strongest. Yes, we must compromise. Yes, we must reach out across the aisle.

Ultimately, these are truisms. They're beyond dispute, but they don't advance the conversation much, either. We have to be in the right frame first.

If basic human dignities like healthcare and reproductive freedom are considered socialist, we're in the wrong frame.

If we're considering whether to arm teachers, we're in the wrong frame.

If the climate crisis is a matter of political opinion, we're in the wrong frame.

I'm happy to discuss what campaign finance reform looks like, but not that the status quo is acceptable.

I'm happy to discuss what expanded Medicaid will look like, but not that health is a commodity.

I'm happy to discuss how to better fund schools, but not when education is viewed as a liability instead of an investment.

Policy made in the wrong frame can be technically bipartisan, but it won't be any good. (So pay attention to the ideas that sound bold: they're the ones that shift the Overton window.)

After all, if a progressive Dem cosigns a GOP bill upping teacher pay by 1% but also increasing firearm presence in schools, is that bipartisanship to be proud of?