Robert Seymour: Gridlock and graciousness

Regarding the Jan. 13 news article “Obama: Don’t let fear, division rule”: I was greatly impressed by our president’s masterful speech on the State of the Union.

It was especially significant that he spoke frankly about his “biggest regrets: failing to ease the deep divisions between Democrats and Republicans ... and that the rancor has gotten worse instead of better.” He acknowledged that he did not have the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt to bridge the divide.

I find it difficult to conclude that President Obama is at fault for the gridlock. There is plenty of blame to go around.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if voices from Congress would also be sufficiently gracious to express regrets, too?

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Robert Seymour: Gridlock and graciousness."