Republicans Are People Too ?
The recent alleged indiscretions of Senator Craig from Idaho, now being referred to as “toiletgate”, brings into sharp focus one of the political strategies that has been employed by the extreme conservative camp over the course of the last several election cycles. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this is a big deal for the GOP because they have campaigned on family values and marketed themselves as the party of superior morality whose candidates not only talk the talk but walk the walk.
The reality is that during the last year we have seen, time and time again, that all polticians are human, regardless of their party affiliation. The republicans have provided multiple examples of their humanity lately. I will forego a recital of the examples. The difference in the two major parties is that the democrats don’t hang their hats on morality. The problem with claiming the moral high ground and then failing to deliver is that it comes across as hypocrisy - which is shaping up to present a PR nightmare for the GOP during the next election cycle. Now it should come as no surprise that some folks will say anything to get elected. Extremists are those people who are so convinced of the correctness of their social and poltical ideals that they will employ any tactic to secure their position because they believe the ends justify the means. But claiming moral superiority is a difficult position to defend because some view hypocrisy as a greater sin than the sin itself. (Each American must reach her own conclusion on that issue).
Expect the GOP to take swift and decisive action in regards to Craig because the scandal, regardless of whether Craig is really guilty, severely damages credibility on the morality issues. Perhaps the fear is that American voters will realize that politicians are humans and that all humans “sin” from time to time. This doesn’t make it right and it doesn’t mean the American voters shouldn’t hope for more. But the reality is that we need to realize that we cannot always expect it. This should come as NO BIG SUPRISE! The problem is that, if and when American voters figure this out, campaigning on morality is likely to be a much less effective strategy. Hence, the heightened sense of urgency.
Now do not take this to mean that morality does not matter. But here we are talking about what goes on in the private lives of polticians. We would probably all be aghast if we ever really knew everything about polticians’ personal lives. (Which, by the way, I am not condoning). We are obsessed with sexuality to such an extent that we could care less if the poverty level increases 10 fold as long as none of our politicians are behaving illicitly. This is somewhat like squabbling over who was smoking the cigarette that caused the house to catch fire while the house burns to the ground. Of course, if you don’t live in the house and it might cost you something to put out the fire, you might prefer to ignore the house and let it burn. The sad thing is that focus on these embarassing and ridiculous issues diverts media and voter attention from important issues that really impact average Americans. I cannot see how Craig’s bathroom antics affect me personally, but I am guessing from all the hoopla that it is an important poltical issue. And of course, how he behaves in his work life, how his work affects his constituents and how ethically he behaves in carrying out his public duties, is of no consequence, as long as he makes no lewd guestures in public restrooms.
I, for one, would like to hear much less about politicians’ personal lives and ALOT more about the issues that affect average working Americans. I am much more concerned with whether polticians behave ethically and honorably in fulfilling their public duties than I am with what they do in private. (though I’d prefer to get the whole enchilada). In any case, it is high time that there be a meaningful public debate about issues such as cost of education, healthcare, social security, trade policies, etc. I hope that both parties get their acts together before the presidential election, and talk much less about the piddly stuff and much more about substantive issues.
