EDITORIAL: Snubbing the White House

OPINION:

It’s hard to be friends with someone who doesn’t want to be your friend. A clenched fist is a poor return of a hand offered in friendship. Donald Trump, who knows what the Democrats in Congress think of him, nevertheless tried to reach out to the opposition with an invitation to a Senate-only reception in the East Room of the White House.

First lady Melania Trump joined him as host, and the guests were entertained by the U.S. Army Chorus and Marine Band. No comics with carefully polished barbs, no insults or partisan traps for anyone. Nearly all 52 Republicans in the Senate showed up. The Democrats, not so much.

Eighteen of the 46 Democrats in the Senate joined in a calculated snub. Bernie Sanders, who tried mightily to be the presidential candidate of the Democrats but who makes a point of not being one, didn’t show up, either. The Democrats, who talk a lot about reaching across the aisle to dissolve some of the poison that threatens to make the country ungovernable, only wanted to spike the punch with sour lemons.

The “progressives” on the left, who actually aren’t very progressive at all, cite the Democratic no-shows as proof that Donald Trump can’t lead — that he’s so partisan he can’t even get Democrats to show up for a good time.

Sean Spicer, the president’s press secretary, called the informal gathering “an amazing opportunity to have a moment sort of free of politics and to enjoy some collegial moments with each other.” They preferred to sit in “the shade of the no-no tree,” in Hubert Humphrey’s memorable metaphor, and nurse a monumental pout.

Assistant Minority Leader Patty Murray of the state of Washington said she had other plans — but couldn’t remember what they were. Perhaps she had to wash her hair. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut tried to remember a conflict, but all he could think of was a play date with his kids. Mark Warner of Virginia said he was supping with the secretary of State. Others just couldn’t make it, even some of the senators in charge of “outreach relations.”

President Trump won the public relations visuals on this one. He made a point of reaching across party lines to stage an event of nonpartisanship — and Democrats responded by turning up their noses. An invitation to the White House, whether in a Democratic or Republican administration, is the closest thing a republic has to a command performance, and there’s no excuse for rudeness.

This should have been a no-brainer for the Democrats, an opportunity practice their civility and show a little bonhomie when and where it would have cost them nothing. The snub looked like petty partisanship, a snub not only to Donald Trump, but to the office of the president itself. Somebody’s mother failed to teach a little manners to this gaggle of senators who think they’re somebodies but insist on acting like nobodies. “It’s sad,” as the president might tweet.