Rivals run into each other at polls, make video about civility
Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and Democratic challenger Meg Gorman battled it out for months for East Tennessee’s District 3 House seat.
When the rivals, unbeknownst to one another, showed up at the same voting precinct at the same time to speak to voters in Chattanooga, they had never met.
Before they left, however, the two had recorded a video together — which can be found at bit.ly/32ogOaT — stressing the importance of civility in American life.
“It’s important that everyone get out to vote and that we’re civil and that we like each other and care [for] each other and that after the election that we go through a healing process in this great nation,” Fleischmann said.
Fleischmann defeated Gorman handily by roughly 36 points, according to unofficial returns. On Wednesday, both spoke to Knox News about the video and why it’s important to get along.
‘SPONTANEOUS’ VIDEO AHEAD OF POLITICS
When Gorman pulled up to the precinct, Fleischmann was already out waving at cars on the street corner. She walked up, she said, unsure of what his reaction would be. The two had never spoken, she said, and he had declined to debate her this fall.
She asked if he would be willing to do a video — no funny business — and he agreed. The recording was organic and unrehearsed.
Anyone running for off ice, Democrat or Republican, Gorman said, is running to make their communities better. Focusing on that is important.
“It’s really about seeing a need for change and wanting to help fight for that cause and really take the lead on change in communities,” she said. “With that in mind, I think that’s something we should all respect about one another and respect about other races. Even if we don’t agree on some issues, or even most issues.”
For his part, Fleischmann said America should refocus and get to the point where there can be civil conversations about differences between people. The anger and angst isn’t healthy, he said.
“I think we need more of that, not just in American politics but in our business lives and our civic lives because we’re seeing something that I never saw as a young man,” he said. “Not just a polarization but a divisiveness in relations in people over politics that sometimes permeate and adversely affects people we otherwise might get along very well with.”