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Crossing the Divide Crossing the Divide will explore the pros and cons of bipartisanship in Washington, and feature examples of compromise and cooperation from politics, business and everyday life in America. With the 2008 presidential election looming, opportunity exists for the White House and Congress to find common ground. But what's the best way to do it?
Special Series

Crossing the Divide

A window of opportunity exists for the White House and Congress to find common ground.

Analysis

Playing Nice Isn't Always a Natural Instinct

With the shift of power in Congress, both political parties have talked about the importance of reaching across the aisle and working together. But research indicates that playing nice isn't always in our nature.

Playing Nice Isn't Always a Natural Instinct

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Democratic Pa. Assembly Elects GOP Speaker

The closely divided Pennsylvania General Assembly made history earlier this month when the Democratic majority elected a Republican speaker. Can bipartisanship flourish in the Pennsylvania legislature?

Democratic Pa. Assembly Elects GOP Speaker

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Opinion

A Time When Partisanship Didn't Mean Enmity

In the Washington of the 1950s, the families of political rivals formed bonds. In that time, political goodwill wasn't as rare as it is today. Then again, in the post-war days lawmakers had seen real enemies.

A Time When Partisanship Didn't Mean Enmity

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Is a Divided Government Good for Business?

Restraint in federal spending is a top priority for many businesses. History suggests that the government is less likely to go on a spending spree when the White House and Congress are not controlled by the same party.

Is a Divided Government Good for Business?

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Building Bipartisanship? Not Limbaugh's Problem

As many in America focus on political cooperation, radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh continues to talk tough and take unyielding conservative stands. He has no interest in forging consensus — and good reasons not to do so.

Building Bipartisanship? Not Limbaugh's Problem

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Does Partisanship Have Its Place in Politics?

Ed Gillespie, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, and Donna Brazile, chair of the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute, discuss divisions between the political parties in front of a studio audience of college students.

Does Partisanship Have Its Place in Politics?

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Opinion

Race, Still Our Most Divisive Force

Americans have known substantial divisions over class, gender and religion, but the greatest divider of all has been race. There are widely held assumptions on both sides that keep us from more fully understanding and appreciating "the other."

Race, Still Our Most Divisive Force

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An Obligation of Religious Leaders to Unite, Heal

An author holds religious leaders responsible for some of the partisan nastiness of recent years. He says they now have a special obligation not just to cease their participation, but to heal the damage they've caused. Robert Franklin is the author of Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities.

An Obligation of Religious Leaders to Unite, Heal

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Brothers Talk Across Political Fault Line

Family members often share values and politics — but not always. For some, the nation's political divide is deeply personal. Brian Mann comes from one such family. He describes how he and his brother have agreed to try to bridge the gap.

Brothers Talk Across Political Fault Line

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A Racial Convergence, via Religion

Two once-vibrant Lutheran churches — one white, one black — fell on hard times in Evansville, Ind. Church staff are now experimenting with joint services and activities. There's even talk of a merger.

A Racial Convergence, via Religion

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Unaffiliated Voters on the Rise in California

More California voters are registering not as Republicans or Democrats, but as "decline to state," indicating no party preference. The ranks of the major parties are affected. Will this become a national trend?

Unaffiliated Voters on the Rise in California

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Cooperation and Resistance on Green Energy

Several utility companies are collaborating with the Natural Resources Defense Council to improve their carbon profile and produce "greener" electricity. Other utilities, however, have taken the opposite tack, and are hustling to build as much coal-fired generation as they can, while they can.

Cooperation and Resistance on Green Energy

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Former Senators Talk About Finding Common Ground

Politics in Washington, D.C. can be a nasty, full-contact sport. Two former Senators, George Mitchell, a Democrat, and Alan Simpson, a Republican, talk about moving past the partisanship.

Former Senators Talk About Finding Common Ground

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Hollywood's Impact on American Politics

Movies have portrayed national politicians and the political process as both honest and corrupt over the years. Several experts examine how films affect the political views of the American public.

Hollywood's Impact on American Politics

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'Lose Your Mother' Author Finds Heritage in Africa

As part of NPR's Crossing the Divide series, author Saidiya Hartman talks about one of the oldest and deepest divides in America: slavery. In Hartman's new book, Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route, she returns to Ghana to do research, but instead finds personal transformation.

'Lose Your Mother' Author Finds Heritage in Africa

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The State of the Union: 2007

State of the Union Response: A Brief History

Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia will deliver the Democratic response to President Bush's State of the Union address. History shows how current events have dictated the tone of the response over the years.

State of the Union Response: A Brief History

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Liberal and Conservatives, In the House

As part of our Crossing the Divide series, Melissa Block brings together the far left and the far right for a conversation with members of Congress Carol Shea-Porter and Bill Sali. Shea-Porter is a liberal Democrat from New Hampshire. Sali is a conservative Republican from Idaho.

Liberal and Conservatives, In the House

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'California Way' Provides Model for Bipartisanship

"The California Way" is what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calls the bipartisan cooperation that led to a productive year of groundbreaking legislation and an on-time budget. Schwarzenegger said the approach should be a model for the nation. But how deep is this new cooperation?

'California Way' Provides Model for Bipartisanship

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