Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill (1912-1994) was a Democrat Congressman from Massachusetts and Speaker of the House. He received his nickname “Tip” as a boy since he shared his surname with a ball player – James “Tip” O’Neill. Ronald Reagan (2011-2004) was a Republican Governor of California and President of the United States. He grew up in Central Illinois and received his nickname “The Gipper” from his 1940 role as George Gipp in the movie “Knute Rockne – All American.”

During the 1980’s, Tip and The Gipper became friends when they crossed paths in Washington. Despite political differences, Tip and The Gipper genuinely liked each other. More importantly, they respected each other. After the assassination attempt on President Reagan, only a few people were allowed to see him. One of the first was Tip. According to Reagan aide Max Friedersdorf, when Tip entered Reagan’s hospital room – he walked over, grabbed The Gipper’s hand and said “God bless you, Mister President.” Reagan lit up and gave Tip a big smile. Tip then got down on his knees and said a prayer for his friend – and recited the 23rd Psalm.

Chris Matthews – the MSNBC talk show host – served as an aide to Tip O’Neill and was a witness to this friendship. In 2013 he published Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked. Tip O’Neill’s son – Thomas – offered his own narrative of his father’s friendship with Reagan in a New York Times article (“Frenemies: a Story”). Tip and the Gipper often dined together (especially on St. Patrick’s Day) and in 1986 when Tip was honored at a Tribute for the Speaker of the House – The Gipper made a keynote address.

I am disgusted by the angry and hateful rhetoric we hear from our politicians (don’t get me started). In my opinion – as citizens – we should demand that our politicians shake hands with each other. Have dinner with each other. Play pickleball. Go camping. Or whatever. Tip and The Gipper had a rule: no disagreement after 6:00 p.m. It’s okay to disagree but do it respectfully. Like Tip and the Gipper. . . . .