The events in Virginia over the last week or so should put every politician on notice. If you’re a politician and have an embarrassing moment or a politically troubling event in your past you had best get in front of it now. If you’re a politician over the age of 40 and you did something stupid 20 plus years ago, don’t think that event is going to stay in the past.
Between the Russians and the desperation of the GOP to stay in power by any means, nothing is sacred. Nothing is too far in the past that it isn’t fodder to be used to eliminate any Democratic politician or any Republican who won’t go along with the extreme right’s desperation to remain relevant and in power. We can’t all be Jeff Bezos. Bezos has the money to say fuck off to any attempt to blackmail or coerce his compliance.
If you have plans to run for office and you have something embarrassing in your past that could be problematic, make sure you bring it out. If it’s something that appears to go against your current political beliefs then explain how that moment helped bring you to where you are today. Don’t hide it. Make that weakness into your strength. Show it as a turning point or one of several turning points. Because if you don’t the hypocrites will expose it and call you the hypocrite and a liar. By then it will be too late.
None of us have had perfect lives but that doesn’t mean we haven’t grown and become better. One other point. Remember the words of wisdom about pointing fingers. You may be pointing a finger at someone but remember there are three fingers pointing back at you.
I hope I am a better person today than I was 20 years ago, 40 years ago and I hope to be an even better person in another 20 years if I’m fortunate enough to live that long.
If you have’t read it, we’re saying pretty much the same thing.
Why Ralph Northam and Mark Herring Should Not Resign