PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

As all of us adjust to the stunning reality of this election, my thoughts have gone to a long-standing topic for me – the difference between campaigning and governing and whether, after an election, those who win can turn their attention to governing.

Usually, they cannot, giving rise to what has been called “the continual campaign.”

But, as I began writing this blog, I came again to the realization that getting to the business of governing will require something more basic than political will. It will require a change of heart that will have to weave its way into politics and, indeed, into every area of life.

That is especially true now, with Donald Trump’s upset to take the presidency. His victory speech struck high notes missing from his campaign, but, given his over-the-top rhetoric during the campaign, will he be able to rally Americans to support him and to swallow their differences?

No one knows yet, even as everyone adjusts to his upset win.

[As an aside, if you have told me that a candidate could commit alleged sexual assault, ridicule those with physical disabilities, impugn all immigrants, compliment a Russian dictator, and indicate his narcissism by claiming that “he and only he” can solve all of the world’s problems, then win, I would have scoffed. Shows you what I know, right?]

For me, Washington Post opinion writer Michael Gerson prompted deeper thoughts than just politics with a very well-written piece in the Post. Who among our political leaders, he asked, “is calling for mutual understanding and practicing it? This would involve the concession of truth on both sides.”

Gerson went on to quote Judge Learned Hand who, in 1944, told newly minted citizens in New York’s Central Park:

“What then is the spirit of liberty? I cannot define it. I can only tell you my own faith. The spirit of liberty is the spirit that is not too sure that it is right; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the minds of other men and women; the spirit of liberty is the spirit that weighs their interests alongside its own without bias . . . the spirit of liberty is the spirit of Him who, near two thousand years ago, taught mankind that lesson it has never learned, but has never quite forgotten, that there may be a kingdom where the least shall be heard and considered side by side with the greatest.”

Very early signs about the ability to govern, not just campaign, are not positive.

In the U.S. House and Senate, Republicans maintained control, an expected result in the House and a surprise in the Senate. But House Speaker Paul Ryan may have difficulty keeping his job…and who knows whether he wants it or not.

Here’s the way the Wall Street Journal put it:

“Mr. Ryan’s ability to govern will be significantly affected by both the composition and size of his majority. Some members of the Freedom Caucus, a group of sharply conservative House Republicans, already is suggesting they may try to make it harder for Mr. Ryan to be re-elected as speaker, arguing he is too willing to compromise with Democrats.”

So, at least for these right-wing wackos, compromise is out the window. And, for different reasons, left-wing wackos also oppose compromise, some of them in the Senate where they are threatening filibuster to stop Republican initiatives.

Going to the dictionary, politics is supposed “to be the art of compromise.” No longer, apparently. Politics has become the art of assuming your opponent is an idiot, then saying so in the most derogatory terms possible.

At one point in his life, Ben Franklin, who has been labeled by some as “America’s first diplomat,” decided that simply winning arguments was not very useful. A Wall Street Journal article said that, as Franklin grew into adulthood, his motto was: “Respecting other people led to goodwill. Continued cooperation was better than grudging consent.”

Franklin determined never to contradict other people’s statements in conversations, instead presenting his opinions modestly with due regard to others’ attitudes and feelings.”

Imagine what politics would be like if elected leaders followed these simple, but important, practices, including heeding Judge Hand’s commitment. Practice modesty. Consider the viewpoints of others. Don’t assume you have all the answers. Recognize the value of liberty.

So, I say to myself and others, go beyond Trump’s campaign phrase and “make America great again” in politics, as well as in areas of life.