article_snippet.sent: (CNN)Is America a nation divided?  
article_snippet.sent: It's hard not to be concerned with these questions given the constant drumbeat of news about the issues that tear us apart as a nation: immigration, community and police relations, poverty, education and dozens of other crucial matters facing America.
article_snippet.sent: Adding to our divisions is a harsh public atmosphere where politicians are preoccupied with how politicians can win the next election or give the best sound bite, and where lobby groups work to protect lobby groups narrow self-interests while ignoring a broader vision of what is best for America.
article_snippet.sent: The leadership style that helped we turn around Ohio is needed in Washington, where America's $18 trillion debt ticks higher each day and we congressional leaders would struggle even to pass a resolution saluting Mother's Day if a resolution saluting Mother's Day required our congressional leaders action.
article_snippet.sent: We worked in a bipartisan effort that doesn't happen enough.
article_snippet.sent: There were, of course, disagreements along the way, but disagreements along the way never overshadowed the shared values We had to guide We work and the shared goal of fiscal responsibility and seeing America live within America means.
highlights_snippet.sent: Washington is gridlocked, but states can make a difference .
  