Lee Hamilton wants an end to the filibuster

Former Rep. Lee Hamilton (D-Ind.) said he wants an end to the filibuster. 

Hamilton, a centrist who has become one of his party's elder statesman, told The Hill that the majority should rule in Congress. 

"My own personal view is that the Senate ought to be a majoritarian body," he said. "I don't like the filibuster, never have. I suppose that's kind of radical." 

Hamilton has served on a number of bipartisan panels since leaving Congress in 1999. He served as vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission and as co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group. 

Hamilton, however, said that it was unlikely the filibuster would be done away with soon. 

"That takes a change in the rules," he said. "That's just not going to happen at this point in time." 

Despite his opposition to the filibuster, Hamilton still urged President Barack Obama to seek a bipartisan healthcare bill. 

"Maximum objective, bipartisan bill," Hamilton said. "Secondary objective, get several republicans, three, four or five Republicans to join with you in supporting healthcare reform. If that's not possible, then you go to reconciliation." 

Hamilton, who backed Obama for president while he was still battling Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination, said that Obama has shown himself to be open to Republican changes to the healthcare bill. But Hamilton blamed on both parties for not doing enough to seek common ground. 

"So often when they meet, as it may happen Thursday [at the White House healthcare summit], the parties talk past one another, and there's not a real engagement," Hamilton said. "What is necessary is that each side take the time not just to listen but to understand the point of view of the other side and then to see what extent to incorporate their views within their framework for the legislation that is pending. And it's incumbent on both parties to make proposals that are realistic that are pragmatic, that are substantial, that are serious, not done for political show, and that are responsive to the central issues that are involved."