A Republican And A Democrat Walk Into A Bar To Talk Climate Change

Earlier this winter, Ashley Ahearn was growing tired of polarized political debate.

She wondered: Did politicians actually believe what came out of their mouths? So she invited Sens. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, and Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, leaders, to drinks at Spar Cafe in Olympia. Understand that these guys could not be more different in their political views, which is probably why conversation was light at first. But when she finished her beer, she slammed it down on the table. "This glass is the elephant in the room. Guess what it is?" Ahearn said.

Pause for dramatic effect. "Climate change," she said. That was awkward, because Ericksen is a climate change skeptic. But his response blew her away. Also discussed: The meanest thing someone has said to them as politicians.

Nursing baby goats.

The frustration of being pigeon-holed into a position.