In the Colosseum
Lessons Learned
About to leave the Senate after three distinguished terms, Arizona’s Jon Kyl offers some parting thoughts.
AS I PREPARE TO RETIRE from 26 years of public life, I’ve been asked to offer some advice to newly elected senators and to comment on the Senate as an institution. While it’s always a bit presumptuous for any retiring member to pass along counsel, here are a couple of thoughts.
First, to new senators, you came here to get things done. To do that, to be effective, you must be able to influence others. I’ve found that the person with the most knowledge on a certain issue is the one people tend to follow, regardless of formal leadership title or seniority.
I’ve also learned that members need not limit their expertise to just one or two issues, that it’s possible to be an expert on several if you’re willing to put in the time and the effort. Indeed, members are limited only by their capacity for work. Knowledge is power; those who know their subject matter best, and who are true to their word, can always be depended upon as reliable resources. Influence—and, therefore, effectiveness—follows.
As to the Senate, I share the view that all of Washington could use a little more civility. Some, it seems, have lost the ability to disagree without being disagreeable. This is usually counter-productive, since the most effective Senate arguments are those that are presented sensibly and that seek to form bridges of common understanding. Now, that’s not the same as saying that compromise is always best. Frequently, with enough time, a compromise can be found; but ideology matters, and we shouldn’t apologize for it. The Senate debates big issues; our constituents sent us here to vote for what we truly believe is in the public interest. The most successful senators can both stand tall for their political philosophy and maintain working relationships with members of the caucus opposite. The point is, one is usually more persuasive when arguing liberal or conservative positions “moderately”—that is, respectfully and reasonably.
The Senate is not the more chaotic, spontaneous, emotional House of Representatives, nor should we try to make it so. The Founders deliberately created one chamber to represent the people’s passions and one to serve as a source of sober reflection, with more protection and respect for the views of the minority. Both roles are essential in our system of checks and balances.
The decline in civility is not the cause but a symptom of the breakdown in the effectiveness of the Senate in the last two years. The Senate hasn’t done much and has become so partisan because its leadership has tried to shield members from tough votes that could expose them to potential political attacks.
One way to avoid such votes is to deny the minority the right to offer amendments, and there is a parliamentary procedure available to the leader to achieve that. But in absolutely controlling the debate, the majority leader of the Senate effectively becomes the equivalent of the Speaker of the House: in total control and able to stifle the minority party’s voice. Rather than enshrine that in Senate precedent, as the current leader has said he will try to do, the Senate should stick with the rules that have guided it for many decades. The problem today is not the rules; it’s the overly partisan nature of some leaders and many followers.
The new dynamic of the 24/7 media cycle and the Twitter age has fostered this partisanship and constant politicking. Indeed, it seems that the next election has already begun almost as soon as the previous one has wrapped up. In this era of nonstop politics, the right kind of leadership is even more important—from the president and from those in Congress.
I can’t imagine a better job than representing Arizonans—and all Americans—in the United States Senate. That I have chosen not to seek re-election has little to do with the less appealing aspects of the job (some discussed here), but, rather, my sense that, for me, this was the right time. I wish the best for all who resume the work of the Senate on January 3.
About the Author
Jon Kyl, the Senate minority whip, has served Arizona in Congress since 1987 and was elected to the upper chamber in 1994.
Martin kzovich| 12.28.12 @ 7:10AM
What Senator Kyle has not said and what needs to be said is the reason for the lack of civility. That that our nation is more divided politically than ever since Obama took office--though it was heading in that direction since GWB 2000 and perhaps before that.
The truth is we have two political parties with diametrically opposite views and there is no middle ground. There is a winner and a loser. Thus making deals,bi-partisanship,cooperation those nice words do not work now and the sooner
Senators on the Republican side see this and admit it the better. This fiscal cliff scenario is a perfect example.
so my advice to Senators of the Republican side would be: face reality, hold your ground, stand up for the right thing play Alinsky against the Communists who used to be the Democratic Party and never give or or give ground. Hammer away at the lies being given by everyone with a D after their name,
Liberty4x4| 12.28.12 @ 5:55PM
You have a good sense about what is happening in our entire legislature, both the house and senate. To put it more succinctly, it is no longer Republicans versus Democractics any more, it is Conservative Republicans vs. Progressives (both dems and reps). For progressives there is no compromise, it is win at all cost, statist bound ahead. They feel (as opposed to thinking) that progressivism is the new anti-constituional, pro-scientific way and that rights and laws are relegated by the government (the elite), not God and the governed. The progressives demand total control, nothing more will do, and anything is acceptable for the necessary end result.
chuck| 12.28.12 @ 8:05AM
Actually Senator, the Senate was set up by the founders as the States' representation in the federal government, and to protect the states from an out of control federal government.
Unfortunately, that concept died with the direct election of Senators by the people.
Minuteman78| 12.28.12 @ 9:42AM
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!
The fact that I, as a NC resident, can donate to campaigns in NV, FL, DE, or any damn place is the heart of this decay.
adam| 12.28.12 @ 8:53PM
And Citizens United?
Thanks for that Mr. Kyl.
Kwan| 12.28.12 @ 8:48AM
It's time to acknowledge the reality that a Communist Revolution is attempting to overthrow the United States. It's being engineered by Barack Obama and the People's Democratic Revolutionary Liberation Party (formerly known as the Democrat Party). To suggest that these traitors are concerned as to what is best for the United States is laughable. The correct course of action is to obstruct and expose their attempts to sabotage the nation, and hope that a majority of the voters awaken to who these people really are and vote them out of office.
adam| 12.28.12 @ 9:07PM
You reveal yourself as a fool.
Kwan| 12.29.12 @ 8:24AM
Hey retard if you're too blind and stupid to see what's going on that's your problem. What kind of President has a Communist Radical like Van Jones in his administration, or a Manufacturing Czar like Ron Bloom telling the people, "We know that the free market is nonsense. ...We kind of agree with Mao that political power comes largely from the barrel of a gun." Get yourself a white cane dumbkoph you seem to be having problems with your vision, and your pals in "The Party" would be heartbroken if a useful idiot such as yourself was to be run over by a bus while crossing the street.
Pecos Pete| 12.29.12 @ 8:55AM
No ... adam ... you reveal yourself as unable to intelligently discuss reality or to understand history. Kwan is not a fool, instead he is aware of his surroundings ... he has eyes and a brain and has an important survival instinct called ... situational awareness.
BBT!
Kwan| 12.29.12 @ 9:32AM
Pecos if you read this dummy adam's comments that are littering the comment page it's quite clear that this guy adam is actually Purp now reincarnated as the useful idiot adam. So what happened to Eve you ask. Well I somewhat suspect that Nightwinger whose moronic comments appear below is playing that role.
adam| 12.29.12 @ 1:00PM
I cant wait till your real bogeyman shows up and then you will see that Mr. Obama governed like a Nixonian republican.
Appleby| 12.28.12 @ 9:13AM
You might also suggest that at least once a year someone stand up in the Senate and read the Constitution (complete with preamble) aloud, and that attendance be taken and binkies confiscated at the door so nobody can be twittering or playing Angry Birds while the reading is in progress. I would also suggest that a pop quiz be given immediately following the reading, and anyone who fails should have to write out the sections of the Constitution, by hand, that pertain to the questions he missed. The names of those who repeatedly fail this quiz should be published and these folks should not be allowed to vote on anything until they have received a passing grade.
Derek Leaberry| 12.28.12 @ 9:44AM
Spoken as the man who betrayed conservatives when he teamed with Ted Kennedy, John McCain, George W. Bush and Lindsey Graham to enact demographic revolution in the 2006 and 2007 amnesty fights. Kyl is a traitor to conservatism.
Anthony| 12.28.12 @ 10:59AM
Well Senator, the problem is not how the senate needs to change its arcane senate rules, it's the folks IN the senate.
Both Ds and Rs have done nothing to avert America's downward spiril, because that would have required hard decisions and real leadership. Both of which would have imperiled your cherished "careers in Washington".
Lieberman of CT, another senate lifer, has also been offering his smarmy good-bye advise, leaving before the crap truly hits the fan.
Kyl and Lieberman timed it right.
Lieberman now champions gun control, yet, in 06, when the Ds dumped him for the radical lefty, Ned Lamont, Lieberman turned to the Rs to save his ass. No talk of gun control in 06 by Joey boy.
So thanks Senator for your parting words. I hope you enjoyed your "career". It didn't do much good for us Americans, as the record shows.
Quartermaster| 12.28.12 @ 11:12AM
We are well rid of Kyl. Along with the rest of the establishment idiots with no principles, he sold us out time after time. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Now if we can rid ourselves of the other idiots we will be batter off as a party and a country.
Warrior| 12.28.12 @ 11:47AM
The sad part of the American tragedy is that Kyl and his ilk believe the bullshit they spew. They are above the problems. Ask 100 Senators what the problem is and you get a response similar to 100 death row prisoners of how they are all innocent and it was somebody else.
Rhoetus| 12.28.12 @ 12:56PM
Rules for Conservatives @
http://www.saveamericanow.us.com
TNRebelRouser| 12.28.12 @ 3:28PM
You are spot on and I couldn't have said it better. When the time comes to build the gallows for those that have betrayed our nation, we'll need as many ropes for those individuals that have an "R" next to their name as those that have a "D" next to theirs. Short ropes and high tree limbs may very well be our only option in the end. Good bye and good ridance to you, Senator Kyle. Spend your thirty pieces of silver in government retirement benefits while you watch our nation self destruct, due partly to the many votes you yourself cast.
Pecos Pete| 12.29.12 @ 8:57AM
Amen.
BBT!
cicero| 12.28.12 @ 11:32AM
The only way to stop the nonsense and self-dealing, to the neglect and plunder of the citizenry is to change the compensation of the elected officials. No pensions, or life time health benefits. Prohibit lobbying by an elected official for 10 years after leaving office. You would then see people running for office (more often) concerned with the good of the country rather than personal wealth accumulation. In addition, subject them to the same insider trading rules as everyone else (this should apply to beaurocrats, too).
Finally, the only way to truly reign in the plundering of this country is to get the government out of all activities that are not mandated by the Constitution. Shut down the EPA, the Dept of Educ, HUD, HEW, the Dept of Vet. Affairs, the Dept of Agriculture, and any other that cannot be found in the enumerated powers clauses. The people can protect themselves through the sword of tort and nuisance laws and court remedies. Lawyers working on contingency fees paid by the offending parties, and receiving nothing for bad cases, are much less expensive that beaurocrats that have no limits, and produce more harm than good.
Rhoetus| 12.28.12 @ 12:09PM
Just read the "Declaration of Independence" and you will see that we are again in a similar condition. Most Republicans are just as obtuse as the Democrats passing laws that destroy our liberties. Sworn Officers have become similar to their complaint written as: "for quartering large bodies of armed troops among us”, our own police have become the enforcers of tyranny as the progressives march us toward one world governmental tyranny.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....44926.html
Ronsch| 12.28.12 @ 12:31PM
George Washington warned of the creation of political parties, and we have reaped what was sown...
Senator Kyl: Respectfully, I have to disagree with the idea that any politician can become an "Expert" on subjects if the just study and take their time to learn. Do you really believe that people (and I use that term loosely) such as Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, NerObama, John Kerry, Elizabeth Warren, the assorted Kennedys, et al. are really interested in becoming experts on anything?
Pecos Pete| 12.29.12 @ 8:59AM
Ronsch: They have studied long and hard, and learned their lessons well ... graft, greed, corruption and immorality.
BBT!
Occam's Tool| 12.28.12 @ 12:50PM
Uh, maybe Senator Frist on heart health on Rep. McDermott on mental health (he's done NOTHING after the shooting to ask for more medficating of psychotics, I note---worthless Doc and rep.) or Ron Paul on Ob?gyn issues.
But most Senators are legally trained, which renders their minds worthless for learning anything that requires scientific learning.
I wish Cravaack had been re-elected. I loved Chip.
Jack in Phoenix| 12.28.12 @ 1:00PM
Senators: heed those words.
Learn them.
Live them.
Murl| 12.28.12 @ 1:01PM
Let me translate what Kyl really wanted to say.
"Thank you everyone for the bribes, kickbacks, extortion, etc, that helped me personally to the tune of millions of dollars, as well as the billions of dollars I've wasted back home in Arizona to pork projects that had absolutely nothing to do with good government.
Thank you Arizonans for being so naive, stupid and obtuse as to keep reelecting me time and time again, in spite of the fact that I'm a greedy scoundrel that has no moral compass, and thought nothing of using my office for personal gain the entire time I was in Washington.
As for what I was supposed to do; well, I gave up trying to fix Washington after about 3 months and took the advice of Ted Kennedy and countless other lifetime parasites of society that called themselves Senator and got as much as I could for myself as possible.
Oh, and by the way America, all that other talk is just pure BS. You know it's all about me, myself and I. Don't let fancy words and a slick suit fool you.
fmm| 12.28.12 @ 1:15PM
Superb comment.
TNRebelRouser| 12.28.12 @ 3:33PM
Great post! After reading your comments, I find myself shouting "Sic him, sic him....good boy."
Pecos Pete| 12.29.12 @ 9:00AM
Amen!
BBT!
Datsun 2000 Mark| 12.28.12 @ 3:22PM
Senator Kyl,
So to sum up....*get things done*, *Be Collegiate about it*, *become an expert in order to be heard*...? First and formost...when...heavens when will we ever see a Senator who wants to *un-do* things!! Maybe it's time we elect representatives who's mark will be how many cabinets were shutdown and bad programs abolished. Be Collegiate? Has that been working lately? Why doen't someone call Harry Reid the Jack A'ss he really is and not apoligize for it. As for being an expert....you only have to be wise enough to know what is *science* and what is Bullsh't to be respected. Being heard is going to required overcoming the media.
Good Luck Senator...
sdfhlk | 12.28.12 @ 8:37PM
Merry Christmas,NBA ,NFL 2012
beatcal| 12.28.12 @ 8:43PM
"Finally, as I leave the Senate, I can confirm what many of you have suspected all along: Harry Reid is an utter jackass."
topcat52| 12.28.12 @ 8:46PM
An interesting piece, though I wonder if Mr. Kyl realizes his own hubris. He believes it is possible to be an expert on more than one thing, and this really is the problem with our legislators. They believe they can be experts and decide for the rest of us what is best. I have been working at something for over 30 years and am somewhat of an expert in certain parts of my field - not even my whole field. I wouldn't begin to claim expertise in all aspects of my field, and that is only one field. Mr. Kyl thinks he can be an expert not only about one thing but about several things. This is the height of hubris and if our legislators would understand that they are not experts on everything perhaps the laws they come out with would not so often result in many unintended results and fail to accomplish their stated purpose.
adam| 12.28.12 @ 8:50PM
Doesn't anyone remember that this so called man voted and supported our invasion or Iraq.
So many great men and women patriots were killed and maimed in that unneeded war.
Many innocent Iraqi's were killed for these war mongers.
Shame on you people for supporting and pushing that war.
Dobbs| 12.28.12 @ 11:36PM
Senator, as one of your constituents for these last several years, I would like to inform you that you were never mistaken for William Wilberforce. Or William Wallace. Never did you lead the charge for anything of importance. You do have good values, but you never went to the mat defending them. You played it safe. We wanted a strong leader. You have also conspired with Mr. McCain to blunt the conservative movement in your home state, supported some anti-life state candidates, and were never on the right side of the border invasion issue. Your hand-picked successor, Mr. Flake, is even weaker than you were and will be another no show on the Senate floor mat.
Count me, sir, as one constituent who's dripping no tears over your farewell message above. Have a nice retirement! Keep playing it safe!
adam| 12.29.12 @ 12:47AM
Maybe for a moment he thought that he represented all Arizonians and not just extreme nuts. Funny concept, huh?
Kwan| 12.29.12 @ 8:46AM
Is anybody noticing that this faggot adam talks exactly like Purp?
Pecos Pete| 12.29.12 @ 9:03AM
Yep!
BBT!
adam| 12.29.12 @ 12:58PM
Now everyone knows what kind of silly person you are.
obadiah| 12.29.12 @ 1:12AM
What dishrag. He is too weak to fight for the first principle the Republican Party: Obama must fail. So what if Obama won an election of two. Republicans triumphed in 2010, just like all the other times. Republicans can make Obama fail now. Eventually the public will blame Obama. Then he will have failed. Dittos.
adam| 12.29.12 @ 1:29AM
A man that wants the US President to fail is unpatriotic.
Shame on you.
Maybe you should move to Russia.
Nightwinger| 12.29.12 @ 3:23AM
Yeah....cheering for American failure isn't exactly a vote-getting formula.
Honestly, I think if the President announced "The Sun will rise tomorrow," some of these whack-jobs would stand up and shout "No it won't !!"
chuck| 12.29.12 @ 8:55AM
Just depends. If that President's goal is to destroy the free enterprise system, lessen freedom, weaken our national defense, bow to our enemies.......then it truly is patriotic to hope he fails, and do everything within your power to make sure that he does.
It's what the founders referred to as "the loyal opposition".
Adam, you really aren't to bright, are you?
adam| 12.29.12 @ 12:57PM
At least i know the dofference between to too and two.. What do u mean weaken our national defense? You heard that on Hannity?
Nightwinger| 12.29.12 @ 3:05AM
"All sanity seems to have left the ranks of those in charge of the GOP. Increasingly, it is becoming clear that the party is against everything and for nothing. That's not governing. That's just lobbing hand grenades. And the GOP is shrinking daily before our eyes."
-------Mark McKinnon, (R. Texas)
Senator Kyl's comment about acquiring knowledge is an indirect protest against the continuing dumbing-down of the Republican party.
http://www.philly.com/philly/o.....e_GOP.html
air max en france | 12.29.12 @ 3:55AM
ith more protection and respect for the views of the minority. Both roles are essential in our system of checks and balances.
RABart| 12.29.12 @ 11:47AM
Pecos---just curious what the BBT! stands for at the end of your posts. Could it possibly mean "Bring Back Tim"? Where is he anyway? It's really not the same without his unique persepective on things. I truly miss the "CONTEST"!! Pecos and Tim, wherever you are, have a very Happy New Year!!
Pecos Pete| 12.29.12 @ 7:33PM
BBT! = Bring Back Tim!
And a Happy New Year to you, Mr. RABart.
RABart| 12.29.12 @ 12:21PM
Update--Just browsed Stein's comment section and got the news that Tim has been banned. I'm really becoming concerned about our country and our Constitutional freedoms.
Could it be that TAS is becoming spineless as well?
Feee TLP!!!!
Eagle Creek| 12.29.12 @ 10:02PM
Hey Kyl... There is a county sheriff in your home state, his name is Joe... Have you spoke with Joe
lately, Kyl ?? I know he tried to meet with you, but
you refused to see him, didn't you Kyle ?? You know what he wanted to talk to you about and you
refused to see him... go to hell, Kyl, you worthless
POS !!
adam| 12.30.12 @ 1:07PM
Joe is a great man.
If you like racist scum who dont get the concept that they work for ALL citizens and not just the left over white trash.
Lgbpop| 1.4.13 @ 12:09PM
I wish to point out another, greater reason for the Senate's decorum so closely matching that of the House over the past 100 years, and that is the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution. It was foisted off on the electorate by the progressive movement at the time, ostensibly to make the States' chamber more responsive to the electorate. Prior to its adoption, senators were elected by state legislatures or - as in South Carolina for a time - appointed by the governor. They represented the States, not the citizenry, in the upper chamber.
Since 1913, the Senate has slowly sunk to the level of the House in its parochial backbiting and petty squabbles. Who can forget demagogues such as Edward Kennedy and Joe Biden, savaging Supreme Court nominees in a manner that would have made Henry Clay or Charles Sumner - men of equal political facility, but impeccable civility - blanch in horror? Can’t pass a budget now, but regulating TV commercial volume is of prime importance.
The progressives told us that popular election of senators would remove the influence of corrupt state governments in the federal government. They never told the complete truth (a progressive hallmark) that it would remove most restraint upon the federal government's growth. Well, faced with the choice between "corrupt" state officials or an ignorant electorate, I think we were better off before the Seventeenth Amendment was ratified.