With a week gone by and most partisan musings out of the way, I’ve decided to take a respectful stab at the reasons for last week’s election results. Let me alert you early: if you’re here hoping to find either excuses or emboldening, please visit a more slanted site. There are no talking points embedded in my posts. I simply have a perspective to share — albeit a limited one at that — that I feel is significant. It will satisfy no one desiring to remain entrenched in any man-created, partisan division.
In the 2014 midterm elections, the Republicans gained a minimum of 7 Senate seats, 12 seats in the House of Representatives, and 3 Governorships. While the party not “possessing” the White House often picks ups seats in non-presidential election years, the surprising extent of Republican gains was identified by many as a “wave.” A wave election is one in which one political party wins substantially more races than the other.
As alluded to, my vantage point is limited — as is each of yours. That comment is not said to degrade nor dismiss; it is merely an admission that should keep us humble, recognizing that there may be vital aspects we cannot see, and if we cannot fully see a scenario, we very well may be wrong. Given that prudent backdrop, allow me to suggest the reason for the Republican wave…
It’s not that the nation is gleefully fond of the Republican Party; it’s not that we embrace their every policy or approach… It’s not that the nation is finally done with the Democrat Party; it’s not that we wish to repudiate their every policy or approach… It’s also not that as a nation, we now detest Democrat Pres. Barack Obama, even though Obama certainly played a significant role in the evident change of tides.
The Intramuralist wholeheartedly believes that the primary reason behind the resulting wave is that the majority of the public finds arrogance within power completely unattractive. The leadership of our country has seemed astoundingly arrogant. They seem too impressed and persuaded by their own righteousness.
Now lest anyone immediately jump from an entrenched stance to dismiss my perspective, please note that the Intramuralist did not make the above supposition party-specific. I believe that when our leaders act arrogantly, people notice and it is unattractive. The party they hail from and the ideas the exude often mean less than how they actually exude their ideas.
I believe when policy is passed via manipulated tactics — as was done with Obamacare — it appears arrogant. I believe when policy is withheld from legislative floor votes — as both the Rep. and Dem. House and Senate leaders do — it appears arrogant. I believe when Executive Orders become a primary means of accomplishing party initiatives, it appears arrogant. I also believe the refusal to term limit oneself, the negative campaigning, shameless self promotions, and declarations of power or perceived mandates each aid and abet the idea that arrogance has incorrigibly permeated our elect. It’s not attractive.
The message sent to Washington last Tuesday is we aren’t impressed; arrogance is not a virtue, and thinly veiled arrogance cannot pass as a necessary confidence. Each of us has known great leaders; there is a distinct difference between confidence and arrogance — only one of which is attractive to the masses.
Note that in his press conference the next day, Obama did not admit any public dissatisfaction with his approach. That still seems arrogant to me, and without a change in approach, I believe Obama will have trouble moving forward. Also, if Republicans gloat instead of roll up their sleeves and work, they, too, will have trouble. Arrogance will not sustain any wave.
As one leader said after his recent “shellacking,” “We’re not… very good… right now. We’ve descended over the last three weeks and didn’t make any changes or any positives… that all starts with me.” While I have never been accused of being his loyal fan, there’s something within his humility that’s attractive — something about his humble handling of the truth that appeals to my desire to give him another chance.
Granted, that was Marc Trestman, head coach of the Chicago Bears, who also lost big time over the weekend.
Respectfully…
AR