Finding Common Ground: A Denver Braver Angels Community Conversation

As a member of the Denver Braver Angels community, I recently had the opportunity to participate in our online workshop, "Defining & Measuring the Success of a U.S. President." For those familiar with our work, you know these gatherings are more than just political discussions; they're opportunities to build bridges and foster understanding within our community.

This particular session, held on March 20th, 2025, delved into the complex question of how we, as citizens, evaluate presidential leadership. During the first 30 minutes of our event, we met as a group, including in-person and online participants. We looked at the results of a survey distributed in advance of our event. This allowed us to get a general sense of what participants felt was important in evaluating a President and it provided structure for our small group discussions.

After looking at the survey results, we broke into smaller groups. My group, like many within Braver Angels, represented a diverse political landscape: one "red," three "blue," and two "independent" voices, one of whom leaned right.

What unfolded was a testament to the power of the Braver Angels approach. We began by examining the survey metrics, not to argue, but to understand the varied perspectives within our own community. This led to a rich discussion about the policies that shape those metrics, both domestically and in our foreign relations. We even tackled the complicated issue of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its potential impact on nuclear proliferation.

As always, the conversation was fascinating but the most profound takeaway wasn't the policy discussions themselves, but the sense of community that emerged. Despite our differing political viewpoints, we showed appreciation for those willing to share their perspective. The appreciation we showed for each other underscored our shared concern for our country and our willingness to listen to others.

In a world often defined by division, we created space for connection. We shared a community where respectful dialogue was valued, and where we can explore complex issues without sacrificing our humanity and integrity. Authentic community can be hard to find; I valued the sense of community most of all as part of this event.