Can a Democrat and a Republican find compromise? Former Pa. governors up to the challenge

With the prevalence of social media and reliance on mobile technology, conversation can often feel like a lost concept. 

"I came to see if this actually would work," Alexander Arigo, a grad student at York College said. 

The 26-year-old is studying political policy and administration was skeptical if two political figures could come to a comprise, something he believes is forgotten in today's politics. 

"No one wants to give up anything," he said. 

But two former Pennsylvania governors are lobbying to revive the oral art and serve as  a catalyst in the hearts of York County voters. 

“Half of what we’re trying to accomplish is [that] compromise can be achieved with intelligent conversation and process," Republican former Gov. Mark Schweiker said . 

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, Schweiker and Democratic former Gov. Ed Rendell took part in the inaugural Democracy Challenge, a pseudo-debate about immigration — a hot-button topic in today's political climate. 

"The topic will be interesting, but they're no longer in a position to do anything," said Adrian Crotchfield, a York County resident in attendance Wednesday evening. "Discussion can trigger things ... politicians are driven by these kinds of things these days." 

Both former governors said prior to the event that the shared goal was to find a middle ground — something Gov. Rendell believes has been eroded because of technology. 

"Social media has made politics and comprise much more difficult," he said. 

Rendell put the onus on social media platforms such as Facebook, which he believes have helped politicians lobby their platforms aggressively at the cost of dividing American voters and residents. 

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The influx of social media has led both to believe the polarization of America is similar to the divide during the Vietnam War or the mid-19th century. 

Rendell and Schweiker believe the event can help change perspectives.

“Call me optimistic, but we have an obligation to address it," said Schweiker. “Can we connect and persuade each other to generate a consensus?...[A] fundamental point of democracy is generating a consensus.”  

By the end of the evening, the former governors had found their consensus, agreeing on a need to push for immigration reform and diversifying the state workforce, with Rendell going as far as saying Democrats should agree to "Build the Wall" if it leads to effective comprise on the issue. 

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"Give them the wall, if they're giving you everything else you want," he said before adding a jest, "Just make sure there are doors in the wall." 

After the event, Arigo's cynicism had eroded slightly. If they can talk about this it might create a different standard for political colleagues, Arigo said. 

Schweiker served 2001 to 2003. Gov. Rendell served 2003 to 2011. The Democracy Challenge was hosted by the York County Economic Alliance in the Waldner Performing Arts Center at York College.