Centerfield

The dynamics of legislation sometimes leads to strange bedfellows.

We rarely see this kind of cooperation in the world of blogs or punditry. I think that's because what we do, almost literally, doesn't count. In legislatures, you count votes, and you do what you can so that your side has more of them.

It's not all that unusual. As polarized as Congress is, there is still a lot of bipartisan activity on particular issues. I think the real problem is the blogs that make it seem like everyone is either a right wing nut or a left wing fanatic. Rational people normally find common ground on at least some things.

Communicating with Brownback's office (as a constituent) is an enlightening experience. If it's an issue he's backing the party line on, you get back a form letter stating the generic party position, whether or not it relates to your specific concerns (which will NOT rate even a mention that the office noticed the particulars). If it's an issue he's personally interested in, you're quite likely to get a personal in-depth letter.

I've found that this is de rigeur for most decent politicians of either party. The staff deflects the touchy stuff, the politician answers the areas of agreement. With bad politicians, you get form letters no matter what you try to address. They just don't care what you think. At all.

Brownback is the conservative senator from Kansas. Pat Roberts is the more moderate senator. Of course, he's also got over two decades in the senate under his belt.