The Art of Politics By Hank Silverberg The United States has lost some of its best artists in recent years, and it doesn’t appear we will be getting any new ones soon. Wait! Before you start listing great painters, musicians or writers, let me clarify. I am talking about those who practice “The Art of Politics.” (The U.S.Capitol) Done the right way, political discourse and decisions have always been art. You come up with a good idea, float it around the political circle and the public, seek input, and redraw it based on the views of colleagues and constituents. We’ve had some wonderful political artists in our history. Ben Franklin comes to mind. There was Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Ted Kennedy. Yes—they were partisan many times. But in the end, they compromised for the good of the country. (Sen. John McCain) I write about this now because we have lost one of our current political artists this week— Republican Senator John McCain, of Arizona. I interviewe