Mean Hallways

The word that keeps popping up when people describe the atmosphere at the legislature is “mean.”
 
 “Everybody you pass in the halls is either somebody who screwed you or somebody you hate,” said one aide to a Republican leader. “It’s all about revenge, Republicans getting even for all those years out of power,” said one lifer. Another put it simply: “It’s personal.”
 
And thin-skinned. Witness Art Pope’s over-the-top letter to the N&O. He sees a vast left-wing conspiracy out to get him: “a liberal lobbyist for Common Cause…an attack by Chris Kromm, of the Institute for Southern Studies…the left-wing Blueprint NC coalition…and its progressive allies…a campaign to ‘eviscerate’ and ‘cripple’ elected Republican leaders…relentless earned media efforts: operatives with relationships to statewide media; private investigators and investigative reporting; and an op-ed program.”
 
Then: “Enter The News & Observer as the ‘statewide media’ carrying out Blueprint NC’s attacks” and “repeating unfounded attacks by Blueprint NC members to eviscerate our elected government and shut down those they disagree with.”
 
Ultimately, being mean and thin-skinned will destroy you in politics. John F. Kennedy once said, “The definition of discipline in politics is the ability to smile at the SOB who just screwed you.”
 
When Democrats get back on top – and that’s just a matter of time and demographics – they need to remember all this. Resist the urge to exact revenge. Tamp down the pressure from within your own ranks. Show some class. And stay in the majority.
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Gary Pearce

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Mean Hallways

The word that keeps popping up when people describe the atmosphere at the legislature is “mean.”
 
 “Everybody you pass in the halls is either somebody who screwed you or somebody you hate,” said one aide to a Republican leader. “It’s all about revenge, Republicans getting even for all those years out of power,” said one lifer. Another put it simply: “It’s personal.”
 
And thin-skinned. Witness Art Pope’s over-the-top letter to the N&O. He sees a vast left-wing conspiracy out to get him: “a liberal lobbyist for Common Cause…an attack by Chris Kromm, of the Institute for Southern Studies…the left-wing Blueprint NC coalition…and its progressive allies…a campaign to ‘eviscerate’ and ‘cripple’ elected Republican leaders…relentless earned media efforts: operatives with relationships to statewide media; private investigators and investigative reporting; and an op-ed program.”
 
Then: “Enter The News & Observer as the ‘statewide media’ carrying out Blueprint NC’s attacks” and “repeating unfounded attacks by Blueprint NC members to eviscerate our elected government and shut down those they disagree with.”
 
Ultimately, being mean and thin-skinned will destroy you in politics. John F. Kennedy once said, “The definition of discipline in politics is the ability to smile at the SOB who just screwed you.”
 
When Democrats get back on top – and that’s just a matter of time and demographics – they need to remember all this. Resist the urge to exact revenge. Tamp down the pressure from within your own ranks. Show some class. And stay in the majority.
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Gary Pearce

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