By Spencer Schneier, Staff Writer

Published in print Nov 19. 2014

Last Tuesday, the UNCG political science department hosted a roundtable on political polarization titled, “Inside the Beltway: Perspectives on Polarization from Congressional Staff.”

The event featured Jimmy Broughton, former chief of staff to Sen. Jesse Helms, Mark Harkins, former chief of staff to Rep. Brad Miller, and Asher Hildebrand, district director and former legislative director to Rep. David Price.

Moderated by Dr. David Holian, the speakers touched on topics ranging from earmarks to fundraising.

The first question addressed to the panelists asked them about their view of the polarization in Washington. Hildebrand, who was at the event on his own behalf, said, “It’s not as bad as you think, but it’s bad and getting worse.”

All three panelists noted that polarization was becoming an increasing issue.

Hildebrand, who said his personal opposition to the Iraq war spurred him into politics, also noted that the highly polarized media has led to greater polarization as representatives look to stay true to their ideological base.

Harkins noted that at the staff levels it isn’t as much of an issue, explaining that chiefs of staff often get along well with the various representatives with whom they work, and that assistants also must get along well in order to properly do their jobs.

Holian next asked the panelists about the length of the week, noting that some have proposed a longer workweek. All three panelists were in agreement that it would help the situation in congress to lengthen the week, though none viewed it as a cure-all.

Hildebrand noted that he did not think there was a “silver-bullet solution.”

All three panelists also noted the impact that the airplane has had on politics.

Candidates can go home on the weekends without much hassle. In the past, candidates would have to stay in D.C. even when congress was not in session.

The conversation shifted next to the controversial topic of fundraising, with each speaker having a unique perspective on the issue.

Mark Harkins spoke about how this year a lot of money was poured into the North Carolina senate race, which he dubbed “the marquee senate race.”

He noted that in two years the money will be spread around much more evenly, meaning that North Carolinians should see a much lighter bombardment of attack ads from the 2016 candidates.

Hildebrand talked about how Congressman David Price raised $750,000 for this past election, and he explained that number is “fairly low.” Price’s district director also said that Price raised money for other candidates in separate races he wanted to support.

Jimmy Broughton, who is clearly from a different era of politics, noted that when he was in congress with Jesse Helms that things were very different.

Helms hated fundraising so much that he outsourced it to a separate organization.

He noted that now congressmen and women are fundraising in the middle of the day, and that they are doing so at times when they could be discussing legislation, among other things.

“It’s a bit much,” Helms said.

The conversation shifted to talk of solutions, or if a solution was even necessary.

Harkins was the first to chime in, saying, “225 years we’ve had our system, and nobody has tried to replicate it. We’re missing that personality to drive things.”

He viewed many of the issues in congress as stemming from a lack of leadership.

Broughton, tacking on to Harkins’ point, said, “I’m optimistic… Mitch McConnell is not exciting, but he’s a good leader.”

Hildebrand stressed that he “finds hope in the voters— the people.” He called on America’s youth to help shape the direction its congress takes.