Rufus Edmisten on the need for Civility in Life and Politics

<p>Rufus Edmisten, North Carolina Attorney General, Secretary of State, Democratic nominee for Governor, was Deputy Counsel for the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973.</p><p><br></p><p>It was a time of high stakes but also a time of civility in politics. No one on the Committee used personal insults in their questions to witnesses and no witnesses did either in their responses to questions.</p><p><br></p><p>Rufus believes we are off track in this country and is writing a new book to help show the way back.</p><p><br></p><p>He talks about the need for kindness and friendship in our dealings with each other and tells stories of his long friendship with another once young state attorney general from Arkansas, Bill Clinton.</p><p>He tells how Senators Sam Ervin and Howard Baker determined over a private handshake and informal agreement that the Watergate hearings would be open, civil and fair.</p><p><br></p><p>Rufus believes this is not a time for nostalgia, but of working to get civility back on center stage.</p>