Sam Smith - I've been a fan of Bernie Sanders for some four decades, dating back to when he was mayor of Burlington Vermont. He's one of the most virtuous politicians you're going to run into.
But virtue can be a negative in politics if it largely serves as a obstacle to a good deal, because politics isn't about virtue, it's about results. Politics is doing the best you can under tough circumstances.
Thus when Bernie announces "Let me be clear: There will not be a bipartisan infrastructure deal without a reconciliation bill that substantially improves the lives of working families and combats the existential threat of climate change" he is putting his own virtue ahead of the best collective resolution. And in the process could be stopping hundred of millions of dollars worth of public works improvements.
Politicians used to be more inclined to wheel and deal. The massive importance of campaign contributions and the distortions encouraged by television have changed that. Go back, say, to Lyndon Johnson and you'll find someone who got a massive amount of good legislation passed with hardly any virtuous bones in his body.
Public works and climate change are two different issues. Yes, we have to deal with both of them, but if you have the votes for the former, you don't put them at risk by insisting they be aligned with the latter. Politics is about incremental progress, not virtue without the votes.
No comments:
Post a Comment