The Bipartisan Bridge - Leader of the Month --

Past Honorees for Bipartisan Leader(s) of the Month

Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine)

Co-Nominees for Bipartisan Leaders of the Month

The article titled "Ranking Senate Partisans" posted to the online version of The Hill newspaper on April 20, 2009 ranks the most bipartisan and most partisan US Senators according to a survey conducted by the article's author, J. Taylor Rushing. In the article, Rushing identifies Senators Ted Kennedy and Susan Collins as the most bipartisan Senators currently serving in the Senate. Accordingly, the two Senators are jointly nominated as Leaders Of The Month.

Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.)

Nominee for Bipartisan Leader of the Month

Senator Hagel, who was highly decorated for his US Army service in Vietnam, took principled stands on the Iraq War that courageously challenged the approach embraced by other leaders in his political party (including the President), calling for more appropriate strategies and eventually for US extrication from the conflict.

Current Nominee for "Bipartisan Leader of the Month"

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)

Nominee for Bipartisan Leader of the Month

Senator Snowe has consistently been willing to negotiate across the aisle and consider supporting legislation that she believes is in the best interests of the people of Maine and the country as a whole, regardless of the party affiliation of the Senator who sponsored the legislation. Although her votes most often correspond with those of her Republican colleagues, on various occasions her votes have joined those of the Democratic majority, even on some contentious issues. In addition to the casting of votes, she has a track record of leadership in her willingness to work collaboratively, negotiate, and craft palatable compromises.