NewDEAL CEO: Americans More United Than Politics Suggests
NewDEAL Forum CEO says Americans share more common ground than national politics suggests, particularly on state and local issues.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Despite appearing deeply divided on national issues, Americans actually agree on many fundamental policies and want elected officials to work together, according to Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of the national nonprofit NewDEAL Forum.
Bultan’s organization has found that large majorities of Americans share common ground on issues that matter most to them, particularly at the state and local levels. The findings challenge the narrative of an irreparably fractured nation that dominates headlines and political discourse.
Shared Values Beyond Party Lines
The NewDEAL Forum’s research reveals that when examined below the surface of national politics, Americans demonstrate significant agreement on core issues. Citizens across party lines express a shared desire for elected leaders to find common ground solutions rather than engage in partisan gridlock.
“When you dig a little past the surface, it becomes evident that, in many ways, Americans are not as divided as it might seem,” Bultan said in a recent interview with NC Newsline.
Focus on Public Service and Electoral Reform
The NewDEAL Forum is working to restore the perception of public service as an honorable profession. The organization addresses challenges facing democratic governance, including what Bultan describes as the scourge of gerrymandering and election rigging.
These electoral issues have gained renewed attention following a recent Supreme Court ruling that weakened the federal Voting Rights Act, according to the discussion with Bultan.
State and Local Leadership
The organization’s findings suggest that while national politics may appear increasingly polarized, state and local governments offer more promising examples of bipartisan cooperation. Officials at these levels often find ways to work across party lines to address constituent concerns.
The NewDEAL Forum continues to research and promote policies that demonstrate how elected officials can collaborate effectively despite partisan differences. The organization’s work focuses on identifying successful models of governance that could be replicated in other jurisdictions.
Bultan’s interview was part of an extended conversation exploring American political unity and the potential for constructive governance in an era often characterized by division.
