Today’s column is a non-partisan, poll-based look at the state of division in our political discourse. You’re probably guessing the numbers aren’t good, and to a certain extent to you’re right. But to a certain extent, you’re also not right. The truth, as ever, lies somewhere in the middle, which should be good news for those who expected the worst. (I’d also say it’s bad news for those who expected the best, but no one’s thinking that.)

Saying our politics is better than we think isn’t the same as pretending political dysfunction doesn’t exist. It’s a way of putting that dysfunction in perspective, separating narrative from fact, and setting a brighter, more realistic baseline for news coming out of Washington. Yes, characters like Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) exist, and that’s unfortunate. But so do real legislators like Gerald Connolly (D-VA) and Don Bacon (R-NE). If you don’t know who either of the latter duo is, I encourage you to (a) check out their records to see how impressive they are and (b) ask yourself why the squeaky wheels at Fox News and MSNBC seem actively uninterested in them. The lack of focus on their contributions shows a lack of seriousness, not to mention — quite frankly — a lack of honesty.

Though my argument has certainly been challenged by the news that House Republicans just approved an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, I’ll stand by it for now. There’s reason to hope for an acceptable outcome. There’s reason to fear an unacceptable one. Try remembering the former when you’re thinking the latter. What can it hurt?