"Ballpark bipartisanship," Al Kamen calls it

"McKinley and DeGette initially hoped to get 50 members to sign up for the outing, but they’re at nearly 100, and the new goal is to get 150 participants."

-- from the item "Ballpark bipartisanship"
in Al Kamen's Washington Post "In the Loop" column

by Ken

"Ask old-timers why Congress is so divisive these days," our pal Al Kamen writes, "and many will say it’s because lawmakers of opposing parties rarely hang out and socialize like they did in days of yore."

Now you or I might find the idea of hanging out and socializing with the average run of today's congresscreeps kind of chilling, but maybe it takes one not to know one. Anyway, Al has a breakthrough in bipartisan hanging out to report (links onsite).

Harkening to an earlier era, members of Congress are planning a bipartisan evening at Nationals Park, where next Wednesday they’ll leave politics aside and take in a game between the New York Mets and the Nats.

While we can’t guarantee that there won’t be some friction between, say, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and such fanatic Mets boosters as Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the event’s fare is more likely to include hot dogs and beer than political bickering.

Reps. David McKinley (R-W.Va) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) are organizing the event, which will include a reception before the game (at which the only rule is “no talking about work”), the Capitol Police Honor Guard presenting the flag and a performance of the national anthem by the Congressional Chorus.

McKinley had initially hoped to throw a bipartisan holiday party, but the “fiscal cliff” negotiations at the end of last year ensured that no one had time for such a fete — not to mention that few were in a festive mood.

It appears their colleagues are now game: McKinley and DeGette initially hoped to get 50 members to sign up for the outing, but they’re at nearly 100, and the new goal is to get 150 participants.

The event benefits the Wounded Warrior project, which helps injured veterans transition to civilian life.

And as if you needed more evidence that it won’t be business as usual, the lawmakers are paying for the $34 tickets (or $36 for seats in the right-field corner) out of their own pockets.

Let's hope they all have a ball. (Sorry!)

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