Friendship Across the Party Line: A Debate That Matters

David Axelrod, a former Obama adviser, and Scott Jennings, who has worked for President Bush, met on March 17 at Arizona State University to discuss big national issues. They were joined by former Senator Jeff Flake, now a university director. The event was part of ASU’s Dialogues for Democracy series. Both men emphasized that they are close friends despite opposite political views. Axelrod asked Jennings why it seems wrong to be friendly with someone who disagrees with you. Jennings replied that he appreciates Axelrod’s willingness to listen before speaking and that their disagreements never hurt the conversation. Axelrod, in turn, praised Jennings as one of the smartest people he has met on television. The pair talked about how media and politics keep them apart. Axelrod said that people often assume the worst because they rarely meet each other outside of partisan circles. He hopes future dialogue will focus on shared humanity rather than division. They also discussed how CNN and other networks present politics. Jennings, who appears on “NewsNight with Abby Phillip, ” said that entertaining debates can still be informative if the right guests are chosen. He noted that viral clips from the show help spread CNN’s brand, but they also risk oversimplifying complex issues. Axelrod questioned whether the rapid format of “MAGA explainer” debates has real value, to which Jennings agreed when experts keep the conversation grounded.The discussion turned to presidential power. Axelrod said that Donald Trump’s presidency made him more conservative and that he wonders whether presidents should have less or more authority to break legislative gridlock. Jennings pointed out that Congress is slow and that presidents often feel pressured to act quickly, which can lead to short‑term fixes rather than lasting solutions. They debated Trump’s record on government size and policy. Jennings claimed that Trump was the only Republican in 26 years to shrink federal government, while Axelrod warned that rapid actions might prevent sustainable progress. The war in Iran was a key topic. Axelrod questioned whether Trump should have prepared the public for U. S. intervention in Iran. Jennings defended Trump’s stance, citing Iran’s missile program and alleged nuclear ambitions. He noted that military objectives were reportedly met, though the current Iranian leadership remains uncertain. Finally, they examined the SAVE Act, a proposed bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote. Axelrod expressed doubts about the need for such a measure, noting that Arizona already requires voter ID and that investigations found no widespread fraud. Jennings acknowledged some evidence of phantom voters but argued that a national standard could boost confidence in elections. The conversation ended with both men agreeing that respectful dialogue across party lines is essential for a healthy democracy, even when they disagree on policy details.