The circus of modern politics
When performative antics replaces effective leadership, we get the clown show we're seeing nationwide.
I openly admit to being a little of a political junkie, especially during the runup to presidential elections. The entire theater of activities typically excites me. The debates. The scandals. The blunders. The selection of running mates. As far back as I can remember, the 20 months leading up to presidential elections has been a time of reading numerous blogs and news stories, watching debates, and listening to pundits opine about who is ahead and who is falling behind.
Until this year. I don’t care for either of these candidates.
They are both unfit for office.
I have said those words numerous times over the last year, including yesterday, via phone, to a friend. In fact, I’m embarrassed that we’ll have to choose from among options no one seemingly wants. Apparently I’m not alone. A recent Gallup poll buttresses my thinking.
Twenty-nine percent of respondents say that neither Biden nor Trump would make a good president. Additionally, 42% of independents agree.
I don’t have to tell you that those numbers are bad for both participants. But they are also bad for us, as voters, too.
Attitudes are a reflection of leadership
My all-time favorite line from the 2000 movie Remember The Titans is “attitude reflects leadership,” which was uttered by the character played by Wood Harris to another player after a skirmish on the field. The attitudes we’re seeing play out daily in our communities, I believe, is a direct result of the leadership—or lack thereof—we see daily from our local, state and national political leaders.
They often set the bar, however low.
It’s impossible to look at the violent protests on college campuses, the tolerance of the former president’s behavior, the assault on women’s sports, the refusal to condemn hate speech and violence against those of Jewish descent, the growing division in local communities nationwide, and the blind eye being turned to helping Ukraine without seeing a connection.
Politics today is about division. The more you can gin up the rancor from folks on your side to fight the so-called “Libtards” or “White Nationalists,” respectively, the more it takes time and energy away from getting things done. Believe me, folks aren't joining Congress to do the work. There is little work getting done when members of your own team are plotting your demise.
“I serve with some real scumbags,” said Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas, on CNN, referring to the threats to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, who allowed a vote on aid to Ukraine.
I cannot disagree with him. I look at what suffices as conservative leadership and say the same thing daily.
“What a bunch of performative clowns.”
Chief among them Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.), who is currently leading the charge to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) less than 190 days from the presidential election in November. If this seems asinine, that’s because it is. Who can blame her, however, when the behavior is incentivized not by her constituents but they the throngs of fans on social media.
This is the problem. She’s not performing for her constituents; she’s being cheered on by the folks on social media who champion her combativeness, cringe-inducing antics and the lunacy of her rhetoric and ideas.
Focus on what can kill you
As a way of getting them to focus on the key big rocks issues, I’m famous for telling clients “Focus on what can kill you.” That is, home in on what’s most important, at a given time, to reach your objectives. For a business, it could be hiring or revenue.
For a politician, it’s usually keeping the base happy. Realizing this, savvy politicians go all in on ensuring that they do nothing to alienate the most ardent members of the base. (In the party’s current state, that’s basically means you’re safe as long as you worship at the altar of the former president.)
Then, those who are so inclined, are free to frolick around the Internet saying and doing dumb stuff with impunity—and frequency. (Greene isn’t alone.) Being a leader, for either party’s most radical members plays second fiddle to their personal goals.
The real issue: perverse incentives. Circus characters like MGT and AOC are mainly playing to the crowd on Twitter. These folks, far from echoing the views of their constituents, cheer these radical party members on and fill their campaign coffers with donations after every bomb is thrown. So, the folks who did join the congress to do the work are effectively held hostage. Or they quit, as many have done, including, most recently, Ken Buck (R) of Colorado
"I have witnessed this for a while and I think that we are seeing a breakdown of civility, a breakdown of, really, priorities in terms of what the American people want," he said via Reuters.
Properly translated: I’m tired of working with clowns.
I don’t blame him.