Know You Enemy, Eat Moderately
“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster” Sun Tzu wrote "The Art of War” in the 6th century BC. |
Facing up to a substantial failing is difficult because once confronted, we know it will take time and work to fix. It’s like the diet thing. “Do all this unpleasant stuff now and sometime in the distant future things will be better.” Now to be fair there are a few cheats that can help a little. Fashion experts tell overweight people to buy bigger cloths and avoid stripes. The political consultants tell losing pols to learn stylistic lessons from their foe.
With Reagan there was his confidence, his steadfastness, and his patriotic boosterism. It took a surprisingly long time for Democrats to appreciate this. It’s so much more comforting to believe you opponent has put a sort of spell on the voters. This experience gives me sympathy for what the Republicans are going through. So in the new spirit on bipartisanship, I want to offer Republicans some free advice. Pay attention Senator McConnell, Representative Boehner and Chairman Steele. Start by asking what in Obama’s style do voters find so appealing?
I know. I know. Obama’s a socialist who wants to bankrupt America but that’s probably not what voters like most about him. How about I give you the hint, it is spelled G R A C E. You know that quality pleasing for its charm, that disposition to be generous or render a favor when one need not do so. Remember how Obama was criticized in his first general election debate for pointing out when he agreed with McCain? Did you notice that Obama gave Republicans a real place in his cabinet? Might you have played into his hands when you told Republicans to vote against his bill as Obama traveled to the Hill to meet with you? To a country which has become alarmed as problems got worse and leaders acted like children, Obama’s grace is like food for a starving man and Obama knows it. Watch how Obama’s people elevate the least graceful Republicans, first it was Rush Limbaugh, now its Cheney. Both men are as ill suited to lead a charm offensive as Attila the Hun to lead a welcome wagon.
So my Republican friends, you must look for opportunities to demonstrate that you can play well with others. Such an opportunity arose last week when Obama’s Attorney General dismissed the case against former Senator Stevens of Alaska and you blew it. The case had been brought against the Republican Senator by Bush’s Justice Department. Now Obama’s Justice Department dismissed the case because of prosecutorial abuse.
Here was the chance to say, “Obama is living up to his pledge to restore professionalism to the Justice Department. Hats off to the new administration.” It wouldn’t have killed you. You still have hundreds of things to fight about. But instead you, Senate Republican leader McConnell, groused about how Stevens and the Republicans had been cheated out of his seat by the Justice Department. Your fellow caucus members suggested Steven’s Democrat replacement should resign as sort of proof that Republicans believe no Democratic good deed should go unpunished.
Now the Democrats could have responded that Stevens got off on what Nixon, Agnew and Joe Friday used to refer to as a technicality. Does anyone recall McConnell or Stevens speaking up for some improvised defendant who was similarly mistreated? The Democrats could have brought this up, but then they would have been interrupted your moment of shocking ingratitude.
Bottom line, my Republican friends, the voters are unlikely to reward people who act like their parents never taught them good manners, not when your churlishness is contrasted with Emily Post’s prize pupil.