If we ever hope to sponsor a productive debate in this country, we will have to spend as much time listening as we do talking. Grandstanding, posturing, and trash-talking the country is not helping.

Imagine giving our Founding Fathers, some of the most learned and intelligent men in history, a tool like Twitter. Would humility win the day or would the draw of casting immediate stones outweigh etiquette?

Aaron Burr was a victim of his own nonpartisanship, his openness to working with political opponents as well as allies. Burr's story illustrates that Americans love nonpartisanship in principle but often disdain it in practice.

Barack Obama could become the George Washington of a next era for the country -- but he's going to have to learn how to be less acquiescent to the political weather.

Dick Cheney occupies a historically unique position: He is an ex-VP who left office electorally undefeated and has not sought the Presidency. As a result, he retains some of the trappings of an undefeated elder statesman.

Barack Obama is pressured by Hillary Clinton to select her as VP, a mathematical question arises: why would he choose someone whom record numbers of Democrats have voted against?