Standing On Their Shoulders...

First off....May everyone have a happy and safe July 4th!!! Happy Independence Day!!!

Politics, as with all hobbies, occupations and vocations, presents opportunities to meet and work with all kinds of people. Regarding politics in general, and campaigns in particular, working paid staff on some and serving as a volunteer (whether in a particular role or as a volunteer in general) on others gave me an inside look at what makes a campaign tick. In every case, it was always the candidate that cast their persona upon the campaign. Over my years of volunteering on presidential campaigns I personally met 5 candidates, served as a volunteer for 7 campaigns, read the books of 8 candidates, and got to see 8 candidates deliver live and in person speeches.

Now, the point of this article is not to stress political, partisan or ideological opposition. With today’s us vs them attitude there is already enough of that.

My point is this. I strongly encourage YOU to get politically active. Anyone who chooses to become a candidate, or to work for a candidate or an issue, is taking their place front and center of those that came before them. It’s like building a home with a strong foundation and continuing with a first and then second floor. And, we can do this without arguing.

I heard stories about the Reagan Administration, with Thomas O’Neill as the Democratic Speaker of the House. During business hours, from 9 to 5, it was politics as usual. Then, after 5, Reagan and O’Neill could be found at the local Irish pub tossing back a couple pints, enjoying each other’s company (as they became quite good friends) and getting things done.

Then came what I call the Bush v Clinton wars. HW Bush was elected president and then defeated by Bill Clinton. During part of the Clinton years, you had Newt Gingrich as Speaker of the House. Now, not many people will admit this, especially on the Democrat side, but the tax, spending, welfare, government, budget reform packages signed in to law by Bill Clinton were the result of the leadership of then Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich. This happened on the political front pages. However, behind the scenes their developed a lasting friendship between George HW Bush and Bill Clinton that still confounds political pundits to this day. As I like to say, politics makes for interesting friendships.

This brings me to one of my favorites when it comes to his ability to reach across the political divide and not only secure votes from the opposition but also friendships. I am speaking of none other than the late Sen. John McCain. Sen. McCain delighted his opponents and enraged his fellow Republicans with his habit of making friends with the likes of Sens. Ted Kennedy and Joe Lieberman. McCain and Lieberman got along so well that they often talked about running for President and Vice President on a unified ticket. I guess it would be a nice trick if you can pull it off.

In politics especially it is exprected to have disagreements. Those disagreements can be worked through. Reagan often would support twenty per cent of what he wanted to get done and come back to get the rest later. You can have your disagreements, be civil and get the job done.

I would like to include here this most quoted part of In The Arena by Theodore Roosevelt, delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France, on April 23, 1910.

“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

To close, I again would like to encourage YOU to get politically involved. Politics can be a rough and tumble sport but it can definitely be rewarding. If you would like to contact me directly please email [email protected].