Karl Rove: Our uncivil president

On Saturday President Obama called for more civility in political discourse during his commencement address at the University of Michigan. Karl Rove writes that our "Hope and Change" president should start with members of his own party.

If Mr. Obama is serious about his commitment to courtesy and respect, then he will need to demonstrate presidential leadership and rein in the verbal excesses of the leaders of his own party. He could start by having a conversation with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who condemned those with different views on health care as being "un-American." He might also share a word with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who recently accused Republicans of being "anti-American" and wanting to continue to "make love to Wall Street" by pressing for changes in a bill regulating the financial industry.

Mr. Obama can give friendly counsel to the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who authorized a fund-raising email calling conservatives "reptiles" and "fire-breathing tea party nut jobs." Was this in the spirit of "courtesy and respect" Mr. Obama says is vital to our democracy?

Maybe Mr. Obama should sit down with Florida Congressman Alan Grayson, who grabbed public attention when he said "Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick," told former Vice President Dick Cheney to "STFU," and accused Republicans of "being foot dragging, knuckle dragging Neanderthals" who lacked "a conscience." Even a mild White House rebuke of this Democratic backbencher would have helped establish a better tone in Washington.

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