A gruff realistic political "operative" who somehow befriended me

[WCGreen]

when I first decided to get involved with local electoral politics asked me right off the top what "kind of guy are you, was you an ass hole or a whore because that my friend, is all there is in poltics..."

I was a little taken aback because my main experience up until that time was when in the sanitized version of politics I was able to see when I worked as a page for the democratic Speaker of the Ohio House while attending Ohio State. He too was gruff but a lot smoother than Mr. D.

After 8 years serving as the treasurer for the democratic party here in Cuyahoga County, I learned quickly that he was, for the most part, speaking the truth...

What he really meant was are you man enough to go after what it is you want or what it is you think you deserve because if you can't go after it with full balls to the wall don't expect to win.

There are a lot of people who are well intended that quickly fall by the way side. You really have to be willing to do some stuff you aren't comfortable with on your way to the top.

Having said all that, people a lot of times mistake being tough with being underhanded or not true to their word. My friend also told me never to give my word unless you were prepared to actually do what you say and never make a promise you can't keep. Better to be vague than be an outright lier.

Anyway, I though these words might be useful to understand a lot about how and why political people view stuff.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Political folk do live in a very different world than us ordinary folk...

And I think that's a source of confusion. We expect them to behave the way we do, and they often don't. When that happens, we cry that we were betrayed, that we were suckered...

We often hear the vagueness, and we put our own interpretation on it, and then... It wasn't what we voted for...or was it?

Thanks for this inside view. It's helpful!

[RandomThoughts]

2. I think I agree with much of that.

I stay away from effect that have other people as the reason for the effect. So stay in the concept of intent. There are many traps people use to get people to fall into despair or make people look bad.

So I think a person can state their intent, but not an effect when the effect is in part an effect of what other people do.

Also a promise of some action does not take into account changing circumstances, a reason why loyalty can have problems.

You said this part.
You really have to be willing to do some stuff you aren't comfortable with on your way to the top.

I disagree with that statement, I think that is a way to get to the bottom. I wouldn't do something that I think is wrong just to get somewhere. Since a place where you have to do wrong, is not a place I would want to be.

[WCGreen]

3. I didn't say wrong I said uncomfortable...

Like confronting your opponent face to face, willing to be the right guy and not the nice guy...

That the kind of stuff a lot of people are uncomfortable with...

[RandomThoughts]

4. Thanks for correcting that.

I agree with that.

I guess I do not find it uncomfortable, if it is best kindness and truth that I can think of, with also saying that I could be wrong, it seems best to say something.

So when you said uncomfortable, I assumed it meant wrong, since that is what makes me feel uncomfortable.

But I understand your point.

You make a really good point, very interesting self inspection there. I think you are saying would you be dishonest or silent to keep or make a friend. Very interesting concept, would that be a real friend? I think on something I learned, if you do not express yourself, you are responsible for a friends wrong. However it always has to have the caveat of an opinion not a thought of superiority, knowing oneself makes mistakes and is wrong sometimes also.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. The operative was being kind about politics with his choices

A holes and whores is sweet talking it. In politics, the two types are the corrupted and the corpses. Better to be in an ethical business, like the music business or armed robbery, than to find yourself in the shoes of the candidate....

[WCGreen]

6. Or an operative...

Looking back there were somethings I should have done differently like shut the fuck up and listen instead of talking all the time...

[struggle4progress]

7. You can't do everything you want -- & to do any of it, you must win the election

[WCGreen]

8. That is the point.

To be able to govern you must practice politics.

It's really awful to see the number of people I have known over the last 20 years or so that I have been involved more on the electoral side of politics who will tarnish themselves to get elected and then have to deal with the consequence once they are in office.

I also know several good folks who were able to adapt to circumstances on the ground without appearing to change their minds or shift their focus because they talked in grand terms and left the details to editorial boards and union and special interest endorsement panels.