How is democracy like marriage? Ask Delaware Senator Tom Carper

Delaware Senator Tom Carper apparently likes to go to events and ask long-time married people for their thoughts.

He says he likes to ask “What’s your secret for being married a long time?” Among the funniest answers he’s ever gotten are “He can be right, or he can be happy,” “When you know you’re wrong, admit it. When you know you’re right, let it go,” and “Don’t die.”

One of the most thoughtful responses he’s ever received, however, is to remember the two C’s: communication and compromise.

“It’s a secret for a vibrant democracy too,” said Carper (who is married) at a gathering at the Fork restaurant in Philadelphia Wednesday.

“And I would add a third: collaborate.”

Carper, who began his career in public service in 1976 when he was elected as the Treasurer of Delaware, has seen a lot in his almost 40 years in politics, but he said the craziest thing he’s ever seen at a convention was last week in Cleveland.

“I’ve never seen as much hatred in four days as we saw coming across the TV screen from Cleveland,” said Carper.  “After awhile I just turned to my wife and said ‘I can’t watch this.'”

Carper said he knows not everyone is wild about Hillary Clinton as the nominee, adding that the same is true about Bernie Sanders, but this unrest is not on the same scale.

“It’s their right to protest,” said Carper. “It’s America.”