Politics is complicated. Either that, or it's really simple.
I know a guy who recently won an election by campaigning only to a small minority of people that he knew 1) voted in the last three elections; 2) lived within a few blocks of each other; and 3) could be counted on to show up at the polls and vote, presumably for him and not against him.
He didn't spend much money trying to "get his message out." He didn't spend a lot of time walking the precincts or going door-to-door and meeting the electorate. He bought a few direct mail pieces that he sent to the folks I mentioned in the first paragraph. And he won.
Now I like politics; I always have. Wait. Let me clarify: I like the idea of politics--the give and take, the wrestling of ideas, the articulation of policy and position. This is why I have a degree in Political Science. It's also why I don't run for office.
Running for office has nothing to do with any of those cool things I just mentioned. Running for office is about scaring people; telling them what a tool your opponent is; reminding them that you're just like them and your opponent isn't; and, promising them that if elected you'll do a lot of stuff for them that you have absolutely no ability to do. Makes you wonder why anyone would run.
I asked a guy who was running for office why he was running and he gave me some cockamaimy answer about wanting to serve or feeling like he had something to offer. So, I asked him how he was going to get anything done. Was he going to work with "the other side?" He blanched and then mumbled something about how he was going to get stuff done because there was stuff to be done and he was just the guy to do some stuff.
He didn't have a clue. But, he did get elected.
And that's the thing: no matter how much we hope for something higher than ourselves in our elected officials, the truth is it's just about getting elected. And getting elected is just about knowing how to do it. It's the reason they call it political science. There's a real science to knowing what levers to pull and buttons to push to garner more votes than your opponent. It's not about having the best ideas or being the most pragmatic and willing to work with people to get things done. It's about being able to work the process.
Whew. Man, did I just bum myself out.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Okay, first off: I've known you for ages, but I still don't get the "Mr. Dobolena" thing. I've racked my memory, thinking, "I should know this, I should know this..." Did I sleep through the set-up and pay-off of that reference? Secondly, as to politics, you're right -- how does anyone think they're going to change much of anything? McCain says he's going to end the rancor and divisiveness in Washington. Oh really, Mr. Smarty Pants? How exactly are you going to do that ON YOUR OWN? It's like saying you're going to stop teenagers from having sex or convert everyone to Christianity. Makes a nice sound bite, but forget it. (In McCain's case, I might add: so why haven't you ALREADY done so in 23 years in Washington?) But I digress... It does make one wonder: what motivates to want to be President? Ego, power, ambition? It's enough to drain all your energy, compromise your principles, eat up your soul, and make you feel like you're spinning your wheels.... Okay, I'll shut up now.
Anyone see the latest edition of "Real Time" with Bill Maher? There was a GREAT set about politician's kids having babies out of wedlock. (I bring this up 'cause it goes along with what Jim's saying. It's no longer about the politics we learned about in school. Nope, it's only about 'how you present yourself')
From the show:
"If one of Barack's daughter's had shown up pregnant - and her boyfriend had published a similar rant on My Space (like Bristol's beau) - the race would've been over, people! That's it-adios-END of GAME! But that never would've happened because Michelle Obama has already taken her 2 daughters aside and told them, 'If that EVER happens to one of you, I'm going to smack the black off your ass!'"
Bottom line: It's no longer politics; it's showbiz, it's National Enquirer! Pizzazz and hairstyles!
Not what you know - nor what you can do for your country.
God Bless America.
Fifth paragraph, second line: did you mean "what a FOOL your opponent is", or am I missing something? --- Great blog, Jim!
Post a Comment