Nerdistan

In a healthy democracy, true bipartisanship, or the process where opposing parties agree or compromise to a single plan of action for the interest of their constituents, is the ideal culture that should prevail. Many political analysts, including Former LT Gov of Texas Ben Barnes, is calling for a return to bipartisanship instead of the gridlocks and stagnant processes caused by ultra-partisanship.

This recommendation is one of the main themes in Ben Barnes’ political memoir, titled “Barn Burning, Barn Building: Tales of a Political Life, From LBJ to George W. Bush and Beyond,” where he paints an insider’s look into the real goings-on in contemporary American politics. Former LT Gov of Texas Ben Barnes turned lobbyist and political consultant was once a towering figure in Texas politics, serving as its Lieutenant Governor (1969-1973) and Speaker of the House of Representatives (1965-1969).

In a 2006 interview, Former LT Gov of Texas Ben Barnes, recalls an incident in the legislature when President Lyndon Johnson, a Democrat, demanded some Republican senators’ votes on a pet bill, and after talks and debate, ended with an agreement and a bear hug, unlike the haggling sessions he observes are prevalent today. In his memoir, Ben Barnes suggests getting rid of the political culture where the aim is to destroy the opposition and instead look for compromise and political unity.