When columnist and conservative Republican Cal Thomas made a trip to Normandy where his father fought in World War II, he toured the cemetery and noticed none of the American soldiers’ markers had Democrat or Republican on them, only American.

Thomas, and colleague liberal Democratic strategist Bob Beckel carried that spirit over in their Common Ground lecture Tuesday night at Lamar State College-Port Arthur as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series. Common Ground is the name of their USA Today column. According to a press release, they used their long-standing friendship in an attempt to change the way Americans express differing opinions.

Thomas began the lecture by rhetorically asking if anyone was happy with the tone of the current political campaign. Both he and Beckel agreed some political pundits run a political scam and make lots of money and gain power by keeping people divided.

“Politics and partisanship are destroying America. We need common ground to come to the table instead of the battle ground,” Beckel said.

The two then addressed the Wall Street bailout and energy issues where Thomas called the mortgage program for housing starts a worthy cause, but resulted in a bailout that is “a deadly combination of greed and politics.” He also called the program NINJA — No Income, No Job, Approved!

Thomas stated Congress must take a stand on the issue and they hate it. He said those involved in the mortgage crisis wanted to advance their careers and line their pockets.

On energy policy, Thomas said he favors a multifaceted approach and the next president must lead and free ourselves of foreign oil.

Beckel said investment bankers from New York are at fault and sold people down the river. He added those guilty should spend “20 years in the can and ought to be in jail” and “we didn’t need to wait this long.”

He added he thinks there’s room for more domestic drilling with the exception of the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve and favors nuclear energy. Beckel concluded his remarks by saying Barack Obama should had chosen Hillary Clinton as his running mate, and he looks forward to this week’s vice presidential debate.

Thomas wrapped up his remarks by saying he thinks John McCain and Sarah Palin are the two weakest Republican candidates to run in his lifetime. He then said, “Washington cannot make you a better person, only you can do that;” and he quoted the Bible by saying he doesn’t place his trust in kings and princes.

He concluded by saying Republicans don’t have a copyright on the flag or patriotism and the other side is not the Democrats, rather it’s the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Beckel responded it’s difficult for a political party to win a third presidential term, particularly with an unpopular war and poor economy. He predicts Obama will win the election by seven points and 300 electoral votes.

He added Democrats and Republicans are in this together, and he urged everyone exercise their right to vote and participate in the process.