The Politics of Perception

At a time when this nation is dealing with major issues on several fronts and DESPERATELY needs to work together, political sour grapes is yet again rearing its ugly head. There are small minded politicians who are on the attack and putting their own petty concerns above the demonstrated need for political unity and cooperation.

I am talking about the comments of Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the new GOP House whip: "The serious nature of the crimes listed by federal prosecutors raises questions about the interaction with Gov. Blagojevich, President-elect Obama and other high ranking officials who will be working for the future president." He is joined by right-wing pundits and the head of the RNC in their insistence on tying Obama to this man and slinging him through the mud. But the perception they are trying to create does not match reality.

In hours of tapes the FBI collected in taps of the phones on Blagojevich's home and offices, there were no calls made to Blagojevich by Obama. In fact, Blagojevich is recorded using expletives to describe Obama and complain of the lack of gratitude and appreciation from the Obama camp. This is not the only act of political corruption or influence peddling that the Governor is accused of. He is accused of trying to use his influence to silence editors who were publicly critical of him and of threatening others by withholding promised government suppot. Not exactly the words and actions that would display any long standing corruption between Obama and Blagojevich. But the Republicans are grasping at any straw to find fault with Obama, so the fact that the two men are from the same state, have spoken to each other, and are from the same party is enough to make him guilty in their eyes.

I think that the Right at this point is trying to find anything they can to bring Obama down in the eyes of the public. He has gone across party and ideological lines in assembling his Cabinet and is actually showing signs of taking his mandate seriously. Early indications show that he may even be successful in his execution of the job. The Republican leadership and right-wing pundits want anything but that. They want him to fall on his face so that they can pick up the Presidency and regain control of Congress by 2012. They even hold out hope that they can foist someone like Sarah Palin on us again and have a landslide victory on their hands. But where would that leave the American people and their nation? I really think they are so short-sighted and blinded by partisanship that they really aren't thinking about it or, even worse, don't care.

It's this type of behavior that shows the ugly side of politics which turns people off and causes voter apathy. At this point in time, we need people to feel hope, to feel inspired, to want to rise above our difficulties, and to have the strength and fortitude to take the action (and make the sacrifices) necessary to do what needs to be done. This is not a time for vindictiveness and infighting in Washington, among its public servants, or its party leadership. Nor is it for America. This is a time for unity and to show ourselves and the world what it means to be an American.

Let's all focus on sharing the credit for our future success when they arrive, not look to assign the blame for failures that have not even happened. Let's keep a proper and positive focus and knock off the petty chest thumping. We owe it to our, our children's, and our nation's health and survival.