Sure, sometimes it seems like the screamers and the insult artists are winning, but Secretary of State Sam Reed and the Foley Institute at Washington State University are teaming up to put in a plug for civility in public life.

Reed, the state Elections Division, and the Thomas S.  Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service recently hosted a “civility summit” at the state Capitol.  Reed and Nick Lovrich, Francis Benjamin and others from WSU were joined by longtime Democratic leader and strategist Paul Berendt and former senator and current GOP Chairman Luke Esser in a provocative discussion.  Lovrich reported on an in-depth survey of present and former legislators, media, staffers and interns and lobbyists that underscored that key players think civility – or lack thereof – makes a huge difference in the successes or barriers to progress in Olympia.

The panel told a standing-room-only audience that harsh campaigns sometimes spill over into Olympia, and that majority caucuses have the obligation and the opportunity to set the tone for bipartisanship and civility, since they have the power.  Berendt wondered aloud whether things are any worse than ever, and noted that Olympia no longer is the exclusive preserve of middle-aged white men.  He and others said Olympia and Washington, D.C., will change when the citizens demand it. Reed and others suggested that leaders should take the initiative … and try this civility thing.  (Reed has made it a signature issue and President Obama and Governor Gregoire both have called for across-the-aisle cooperation and a renewed attention to civil behavior.)

POSTSCRIPT:  Talk about serendipity: An unexpected guest at the event and at several Capitol receptions and dinners was Jim Leach, former 30-year Iowa congressman who is President Obama’s new chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.  Leach was here as part of his 50-day “civility tour.”  He’s an excellent story-teller … and, yes, very civil.