Bridge Grades

@DerateTheHate Thanks for going deep on Bridge Grades, Wilk (@DerateTheHate). It was a pleasure to unpack how we use data to sort legislative bridgers from dividers - and why this measure can help change incentives longer term for a more collaborative Legislative Branch.

Brad created @BridgeGrades – a system that sorts politicians not by red vs blue, but by how collaborative or divisive they actually are. ✅ ~2/3 of the score = what they DO (bipartisan work, cross-party co-sponsorship) ✅ ~1/3 = what they SAY (personal attacks vs. calls for bipartisanship) (2/3)

Imagine leaving America for 14 years and coming back shocked by what you see. That’s what happened to Brad Porteus. He returned from Singapore & Amsterdam and saw a country boiling in outrage, identity politics, and powerlessness. So he built something new. 👇🏻👇🏻 (1/3)

A true pleasure to go deep on Bridge Grades with Wilk Wilkinson on @DerateTheHate podcast. We go beyond diagnosing what has gotten us stuck in polarized partisanship, and introduce a new idea - to evaluate our Congressional leaders on how collaborative and bipartisan they govern.

There are bridgers and dividers from both parties. Which is yours? bridgegrades.org

Hyper-polarizing "dividers" in our Legislative Branch from both parties prevent Congress from its duty to write laws in our common interests and act as a check and balance to the Executive and Judicial Branches. Bridge Grades uses data to identify "bridgers" within both parties.

This week we debuted updated Bridge Grades for Congress like Rotten Tomatoes for politicians. We compile public 3rd party data into a polarization score to sort bridge builders from polarizing dividers. How it works: youtube.com/watch?v=d2hGll… What grade does your rep get?

@ListenFirstProj Thanks for the shoutout @ListenFirstProj 🇺🇸What grade does your Congressperson get? ✅ or ❌ Check bridgegrades.org and find out.

Congress just got graded. @BridgeGrades has launched its first report for the 119th Congress. It's like Rotten Tomatoes, but for politicians. 🍅 Find out if your Member of Congress is a bridger or a divide today. youtube.com/watch?v=d2hGll…

@johnarnold Amen @johnarnold couldn’t have said it better ourselves. This is what Bridge Pledge is all about - sorting the Bridgers from Dividers in both parties. bridgepledge.org

There's been a lot of misinformation about Laura's and my politics of late that I'd like to clarify. TLDR: we don't associate with either party but support individual politicians who work in good faith to improve lives. Most people involved in politics see the biggest divide as Dem vs Rep. It's true that there is significant power of the presidency or control of a chamber. That matters, and can be dispositive, on some issues. But most policies need 60 votes in the Senate and that requires bipartisan consensus. The important divide to us is not along party but of members of Congress who spend their energy trying to find pragmatic solutions to real problems vs those promoting their own brand to partisan audiences. Congress is frequently increasingly labeled as dysfunctional, even by its members, as the number in the latter category keeps increasing. There are members across the traditional left/right spectrum that fall into both buckets. And though the solutions can be very different depending on political ideology, there is often overlap and compromise possible. The problem is there are many incentives fighting against this, and instead to be an agent of chaos. One's respective media celebrates you with lots of airtime. Partisan media seldom likes compromise; it likes ideological purity even if that means problems means stalemate. Given most races are only competitive in the primary, extremism and purity usually ensures reelection. Again, politics and partisan control are hugely important. That's why there are tens of billions contributed on a strictly partisan manner. But even if we wanted to, I don't think we could additive in the battle between parties. Contributing millions to run even more presidential ads in PA or Senate ads in MT has zero value. Instead, we carved out a space supporting members who use their seat to find solutions rather than increase vitriol. We seldom agree with everything that member supports. I would find it strange if we did agree with every position on every issue that anyone had. But there are many members with whom we can agree on the goals of a particular system and who want to use their seat to work on a better outcome, even if that compromise might be criticized by the peanut gallery. We support them. When members can agree on the ultimate goal and have pure motivations, there is often common ground. That's the space our foundation explores in issues like healthcare costs, higher-ed, housing, the deficit, criminal justice, immigration, energy/climate, and K-12. These members need moral support, campaign support, and technical support because the current system under-resources all of the above for them. We don't care if they have a D or R next to their name. That's not the lens through which we see the world. But those are the candidates we're hoping win tomorrow.

Most Americans think their candidate will win the election. Partisans disagree on whether the candidates *will* concede if they lose. A majority of all partisans believe the losing candidate *should* concede...but when? Read our new Path to 2024 report! prlpublic.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/reports/Octobe…

@deanbphillips Congratulations on being a Grade “A” Bridger @deanbphillips bridgepledge.org/bridge-grade

I’m a Gold Star Son and common sense American who’s disappointed in both parties. I spoke the truth about Joe Biden and paid a big price for it. The former Chair of the House Republican Conference and former COS to Donald Trump are speaking the truth, too, and I just ask you to listen.

@EndTribalism How exactly is this sort of content helping to end tribalism in politics? 🤔

Kamala Harris just now: “Now he (Trump) is ducking debates and canceling interviews.” “His own campaign team recently said it is because of exhaustion. Well, if you are exhausted on the campaign trail, it raises real questions about whether you are fit for the toughest job in the world.” The queen of gaslighting continues her campaign of never ending gaslighting.

@RepDerekKilmer Here at Bridge Pledge we are very sorry to see you go. As one of our highest ranking bridgers you are a real loss to a more collaborative Congress. Congrats on your A grade. You leave with your head held high @RepDerekKilmer bridgepledge.org/bridge-grade

During my time as your representative, I’ve worked with each of our region’s tribes to ensure that the federal government lives up to its responsibilities. Read more in this week's newsletter - kilmer.house.gov/news/press-rel…

@JeffJacksonNC #jeffjackson

Congratulations to Rep. Jeff Jackson for earning an "A" grade on Bridge Grades for Congress. You exemplify collaboration, coalition-building, and consensus solutions. Good luck with your campaign for AG of North Carolina. @RepJeffJackson bridgepledge.org/bridge-grade

Big congraultions to Rep. Colin Allred for your Grade "A" on Bridge Grades for Congress. Your collaboration, coalition-building, and consensus solutions are recognized in your high marks. Congratulations. @RepColinAllred @JoshDStewart bridgepledge.org/bridge-grade

@RepDerekKilmer Kudos @RepDerekKilmer for your bipartisan leadership. You earn an A on Bridge Grades for Congress. A great legacy. bridgepledge.org/bridge-grade

President Kennedy once said that, in our democracy, we all ‘hold office.’ Getting young people involved in the effort to improve Congress will allow the next generation of leaders to be part of the solution. This is a win-win. kilmer.house.gov/media/press-re…

Well done Rep. Mike Lawler @RepMikeLawler for your "A" grade due to your bipartisan collaboration, coalition-building, and consensus solutions. Access to all grades and methodologies here: bridgepledge.org/bridge-grade

Congrats Rep. David Valadao for your high marks on collaboration, coalition-building, and consensus solutions. You earned an "A" on Bridge Grades for Congress. @RepDavidValadao bridgepledge.org/bridge-grade

Shout out to Rep. Marcus Molinaro for your high rating and "A" grade on Bridge Pledge for Congress. Keep on collaborating and good luck with your reelection. @marcmolinaro @RepMolinaroNY19 bridgepledge.org/bridge-grade

Kudos to Rep. Susie Lee @RepSusieLee for your "A" Grade on Bridge Grades for Congress - rating you high on collaboration, coalition building, and consensus solutions. Well earned. bridgepledge.org/bridge-grade