Politics and the CMRC

From the very beginning, the signature strength of the CMRC is our ability to unite "unlikely" partners under one big tent. These partnerships were formed in 2005 and have persisted and expanded since then--no small feat.

In fact, this particular partnership is what we call our competitive advantage. We bring together business, labor, government, community, and educators. This coalition gives us confidence that we can achieve the big changes and reforms that will allow us to fulfill our objective of becoming the global leader in manufacturing complex products.

On a regular basis, we receive inquiries and attract interest from political leaders from the right, the center, and the left; and from Democrats, Republicans, and independents of all stripes.

Last December, I described our history and approach to the partnership between business and labor in the CMRC. In this column, I want to discuss how we manage the breadth of political opinion and commitment that we attract--particularly as we enter the political season once again.

Legally and technically, we are a not-for-profit initiative that is supported in part by government funding, direct and indirect, as well as by private contributions and fees for our services. We have an absolute obligation to remain completely non-partisan and not show particular preference to any political persuasion, party, or candidate.

But broadly speaking, it’s fascinating to me how wide the political spectrum is within the community that seriously supports our economic, social, and educational objectives. In the recent conferences I attended in Washington, there were the common public themes of the importance of labor and business working together, of private/public partnerships, and of reviving our entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.

In the private discussions around dinner or at the bar, it was amazing to hear the differences that were right beneath the surface of the strong unity on the bigger issues. This is our strength.

We need to demonstrate our leadership in welcoming the diverse views of those who support our program, and in encouraging constructive debate and discussion on the various differences that exist within our programmatic framework, while not getting pulled into what can be divisive discussion on issues that are outside our defined mission.