What Really Matters in Politics

Coming back from the Take Back America conference in Washington, DC, I have been thinking about the type of people who get into politics. There are the Russ Feingold and Barack Obama’s who spoke at the conference. Both are people of impeccable credentials, solid values and willing to stand up for what is right, not what is politically expedient.

Then you have, well, most politicians who care deeply about one thing - getting elected or reelected. (There are plenty of local exceptions, too many to print, but that is not meant as a slight to anyone. I’m referring to the conference primarily as I write.)

The difference between the statesman and the politician has a lot to do with the ability to do the right thing, period. Voting the right way, no matter the cost. Speaking out about what really matters. Appointing and helping elect people of good values and work ethic because they are the right people, regardless of outside pressures. Essentially, people who have a solid barometer of who there are and what they believe in, as well as what is in the public’s best interests. They inspire.

The politician does what he or she needs to in order to get ahead. Voting with the polls, only. Speaking out on what is politically expedient, but only if it personally helps the pol out. Going the way of least resistance, giving in to bullies and special interests, making government a whole lot more average than extraordinary. Bottom line: Whatever is in the personal interest of the pol, rather than the public, happens. Political expediency.

I’ve seen all sorts of elected officials over the years. Many start out for the right reasons, but soon devolve to being a full-time politician, rather than a statesman. Their compass is right, they know better in their hearts, but they find plenty of reasons to go the path of least resistance.

But all too often that path is covered in thorns. When you lose the support you had because you once had ethics and values, you lose more than a supporter or two. You lose the credibility on more issues. More people start to question your every move. The reasons why you entered public service now are long gone. And all too often, you stand alone in the end.

I look forward to the coming presidential election. I personally hope Russ Feingold gets in the race. He is the sort of person who I strongly admire. And interestingly, so does the public - Republicans, Independents and Democrats. Just look at the last election. Kerry won Wisconsin by a little over 11,000 votes. Feingold, in the same election, won the state by over 330,000 votes. Character does matter. And I think it will in 2008 as much as it does this fall.

Let’s all find candidates that inspire us.