Bob Corker Chimes in on Political Division

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — This week’s meeting of the Hamilton County Pachyderm club featured a special guest, former United States Senator and Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker.

Corker spoke on numerous topics, including political rhetoric pertaining to China, which he feels is inappropriately heated and antagonistic.

“I think a lot of times the chest-beating and the pounding and the ‘I’m the toughest person in the world’ and all of that is really because there’s a lack of things to say about what we’re doing to make our country even stronger,” said Corker.

Corker’s opposition to antagonistic rhetoric applies to domestic affairs as well.

In describing the cause of America’s political division, Corker alluded beliefs held by both parties which aren’t founded in reality.

“Just the things that people believe to be true… Marty, my gosh. You got to be kidding me. Really? And where this comes from… Who could possibly believe some of the things people believe are taking place, on both side of the aisle?,” said Corker.

In addition to unfounded beliefs, Corker said that people are distressed by a lack economic stability, despite taking paths which are typically associated with security.

Corker was critical of members of Congress who engage in political absolutism, unwilling to reach across the aisle to achieve their goals.

“You’re not strong. You’re never going to burn one ounce of political capital, residing over, if you’re a Republican, in the right ditch or way over, as a Democrat, in the left ditch. You’re not going to burn an ounce of capital, right? You’re never going to have a primary opponent, ever. It’s those people that are willing to reach across the aisle and burn political capital and come back home to Hamilton County or wherever they live and explain why they did what they did to people — in my opinion, those are the people that have courage in this country,” said Corker.