That means there are thousands of North Carolinians wondering: Do I have what it takes to be a politician? Could I be an honorable?
After 28 years of covering politics, I’ve developed a short self-assessment for would-be politicians. Especially in light of recent political events, the questions and their answers should help you determine if you’d make a good politician. Ask yourself:
1.) Do you let principles get in the way of bashing your opponents? Rep. Frank Mitchell, a Republican from Olin, called the other day to lament that members of his party didn’t get as many clerks as did Democrats. He nearly shed a tear that his clerk may lose her health insurance because of it. His clerk is a really nice person, and I understand his concern. He blamed his adversary, Co-Speaker Richard Morgan, for his clerk’s woes.
But Mitchell is a very conservative guy, who has long advocated smaller government which means, of course, firing some state employees and their loss of health insurance. To be as successful a politician as Mitchell, you must be able to blast your opponents for doing what you advocate.
2.) Can you compromise? Rep. Michael Decker, D-Walkertown, another very conservative guy, has a long record of opposing taxes. So far, he has not succeeded in getting rid of taxes for you, me and his constituents.
But, according to his campaign finance reports, Decker has found a way to considerably reduce his own taxes. To be as successful a politician as Decker, you have to be willing to accept half a loaf in the short term — cutting your own taxes — while you work in later years to take care of everyone else.
3.) Can you blame others? The Democratic candidates for president are all over President Bush these days for problems with electricity transmission grids. One network checked the candidates’ speaking records, and not one of them has talked about transmission lines in the last three months. To be as successful as... er, forget that. These guys haven’t been successful yet.
4.) Can you keep a straight face? Bush has a new arrogant little press secretary who’s replacing the dweeb who quit to cash in on his Washington connections. This guy accused the Democrats of political posturing on Monday. To be as successful as this guy, ask yourself if you can call the kettle black while being a pot yourself.
5.) How’s your knowledge of history? U.S. Sen. Liddy Dole recently blasted Sen. John Edwards for not resigning before running for president. Dole noted that her husband resigned when he ran. But Bob Dole ran for president every year from 1868 to 1996 and resigned only after he got the GOP nomination in 1996, something Edwards will never get. Nor will he get the Democratic nomination. Anyway, Edwards is running ads in South Carolina showing himself in front of the house where he was born and talking about his humble roots. You ought to see his current house in the humble Country Club Hills section of Raleigh. To be as successful as Dole and Edwards, flunk history.
So, conduct your self-assessment. I’ll see those of you who pass on the campaign trail soon.
Paul O’Connor is a Raleigh columnist for the Capitol Press Association. He can be reached at ocolumn@mindspring.com.
