I was born and raised in Illinois. South of Chicago. In my formative years, I was drawn into politics through Chicago, explained through local news commentary. The Daley family was in the tradition of a Greek poet laureate. Walter Jacobsen (you'd have to have lived there to know who I mean) was my "Homer" when it came to understanding the process of political payouts.
In this fertile ground a young community organizer was raised, with ideals of social justice and moral relativism. He believed in socialist equality, but caught onto the value of favoritism and, when you had power, using it to influence the results you wanted. So, when he became POTUS, and wanted to be the one to bring national health care across the goal line, he wheeled and dealed with everyone he could. Including Senator Ben Nelson, of Nebraska; a man traditionally conservative in fiscal matters who usually reflected the midwest values of the Cornhusker state. For, what must have been, political support and future considerations, the President coaxed Nelson into the fold. The fallout at home was obvious, and Senator Nelson elected to retire, rather than run and be embarrassed.
Of course, he probably kicked himself when the predominantly Republican electorate by-passed the traditional party candidates in 2012, and selected a Tea Party state senator, Deb Fisher, to run in the national race. And the Democratic candidate withdrew, because of election finance irregularities. The state Democratic Party had to recruit former Senator Bob Kerrey, 10 years removed to New York, but with a residence to keep him a legal candidate. And in the closing month of the race, as it was growing tighter and a suitable push of the right type might actually gain a Senate seat for the President, Chuck Hagel appeared. Former Republican Senator (promoting himself on being open-minded, and willing to "cross the aisle") who did promotions for Kerrey, against Fisher. She won the seat, pretty handily, but it seems despite disappearing politically for the past few years, the effort won Hagel a chance to earn some payback from the President. His nomination to Secretary of Defense seems like it will be a tough confirmation, but it's all okay. The President can cross one more debt off the list. It's a shame we can't fix our National Debt with as much efficiency.
Comments