The Illusion of Peacemaking

Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s crusade for depolarization is a welcome, if not entirely convincing, anomaly in an era where politicians are more concerned with brandishing their party’s colors than engaging in constructive dialogue. His new book, Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt, chronicles his efforts to bring together two of the most polarizing figures in modern American politics: Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Cox’s story begins with a 2023 meeting between himself and President Biden in an armored limousine in Salt Lake City. During their conversation, Cox floated the idea of pardoning Trump, who was at that time facing multiple criminal charges and running for president. To Cox’s surprise, Biden seemed receptive to the suggestion, even claiming he had been considering it with his wife Jill just days prior. However, nothing came of this meeting.

A year later, after a gunman nearly killed Trump at one of his rallies, Cox tried again – this time by writing an open letter to Trump. In the letter, Cox urged Trump to seize the opportunity to unify the country and reject partisan retribution. Trump’s response was typical: a mix of bluster, insults, and divisive rhetoric.

Cox’s account raises questions about his approach to peacemaking in an increasingly toxic political environment. On one hand, his willingness to engage with politicians on the opposite side of the aisle demonstrates a commitment to finding common ground that is rare in modern politics. However, Cox’s optimism and faith in bipartisan cooperation border on naivety.

The Cult of Contempt

Cox argues that what plagues America today is not bad manners or even political division, but contempt – the conviction that those who don’t share our opinions or values are beneath us and unworthy of good-faith engagement. This observation speaks to the deep-seated polarization that has consumed American politics.

However, Cox’s analysis assumes that contempt can be drained from political combat through sheer force of will. Can politicians – or citizens – put aside their differences and engage in meaningful dialogue when the system itself rewards reciprocal hatred? The evidence suggests not.

A Peacemaker in a War Zone

Cox’s own experiences raise more questions than answers about the viability of his approach. His endorsement of Trump was met with widespread criticism from both within and outside his party. Cox framed this decision as a necessary evil – a calculated risk designed to bring people together in the face of seemingly insurmountable divisions.

However, is this really peacemaking, or just appeasement? And what does it say about Cox’s commitment to finding common ground when he’s willing to justify such a decision as being in line with his values?

The Limits of Bipartisanship

The proposition at the heart of Off Ramp is that political combat can be drained of contempt. While this is certainly a civic aspiration worth striving for, it’s hard not to see the current state of American politics as a major obstacle to achieving such a goal.

In fact, one might wonder whether Cox’s approach could do more harm than good – by encouraging politicians and citizens alike to put aside their differences in favor of some mythical notion of “unity” that ignores structural issues driving our polarization.