Politics

Olympia Snowe On Leaving Senate: Washington Has Become “Dysfunctional”

Senator Olympia Snowe, who abruptly announced her upcoming resignation Tuesday, told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell that she stepped out in part because the Senate “[works] in a parallel universe with competing proposals, up or down votes.”

Speaking of her “very difficult decision” not to seek reelection, Snowe said the Senate is at a point where “it is very, very difficult to resolve major issues that are so important to the future” of the U.S., adding that Washington’s political system is “dysfunctional” and that “the political paralysis has overtaken the environment to the detriment of the good of this country.”

When asked if both the Republican Party and Democratic Party contribute to the “dysfunction,” Snowe said, “Absolutely,” continuing:

“I think everybody has to stand back and understand what is the essence of public service? It’s all about solving problems. What are our obligations…to the country and to the people we represent? Is it coming up with effective solution to sitting down and working out these issues, sitting around a table sorting through the differences? You can never…solve a problem without talking to people with whom you disagree and the United States Senate is predicated and based on the essence of consensus building, that was certainly the vision of our Founding Fathers”

Recalling her beginning days in the Senate, Snowe referenced the constructive manner in which then-Senate Majority leader Bob Dole instructed politicians to problem solve and sort out disagreements:

“When there were differences, and we had some key issues…he’d put a group together, it would either be Republicans or Republicans and Democrats…[and say] ‘Go in my office…and work it out.’ He would always say ‘work it out.’ And that’s the point, we’re not working out issues anymore. We’re working in a parallel universe with competing proposals, up or down votes.”

Snowe’s concerns with this kind of thinking come as no surprise, as she has been praised by many for her “moderate” conservative beliefs and ability to look past party lines to focus on issues. In 2006, Time magazine named her one of America’s Best Senators, highlighting her “her centrist views and eagerness to get beyond partisan point scoring.”

Snowe’s resignation was a major bummer to Republicans, many of whom worry her decision will make it harder for their voices to be heard in Maine. Methinks this loss will be felt for a long time.

Courtesy of our friends at Mediaite, watch Snowe’s appearance below:

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TAGS: OLympia Snowe | olympia snowe not running for reelection | olympia snowe resigns

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