Playing politics while putting it aside

Politicians who say "let's put politics aside" sound as convincing as businesspeople who would tell you "let's put commerce aside" or sports coaches saying "let's put competition aside."

And yet, you hear it so much it sounds like a hearty gesture -- a reflexive "bless you" in response to somebody's civic sneeze.

Democratic President Barack Obama's latest variation on this theme came at the outset of Thursday night's jobs speech. He said: "The question is whether, in the face of an ongoing national crisis, we can stop the political circus and actually do something to help the economy."

Of course, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was out there way before the speech, saying: "This isn't a jobs plan. It's a re-election plan. . . . It's time the president starts thinking less about how to describe his policies differently and more time thinking about devising new policies."

Seems as if McConnell -- who as a partisan player in Washington might have once or twice let politics get in the way of something or other -- felt the president failed to put politics aside.

The puddle-deep concept of apolitical government, of course, might have confounded the founders of the republic, who seemed to know what business they'd chosen.

Still, Obama sounded determined to sell his jobs proposals -- incremental, modest, less than dramatic -- as born of the broadest common sense, and not "political."

"The millions of Americans who are watching right now: They don't care about politics. They have real life concerns," he said. He cited Republicans and Democrats agreeing on certain measures, as prelude to the refrain, "You should pass this bill right away."

Obama did edge precariously toward what might have sounded like political engagement.

"I know some of you have sworn oaths to never raise any taxes on anyone for as long as you live. Now is not the time to carve out an exception and raise middle-class taxes, which is why you should pass this bill right away," he said.

Then he edged a bit further into -- dare we say -- populist rhetoric.

"Our tax code shouldn't give an advantage to companies that can afford the best-connected lobbyists. It should give an advantage to companies that invest and create jobs here in America," he said. "Should we keep tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires? Or should we put teachers back to work so our kids can graduate ready for college and good jobs? Right now, we can't afford to do both."

Lest you suspected he was now making a political speech, though, Obama stated: "This isn't political grandstanding. This isn't class warfare. This is simple math."

For rival players at the Capitol, the goal may really be to "put politics aside" -- as long as it's the other guy's politics.