Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Good Commentary on the Republican Infighting (and some of my own)

From Instapundit. (Thanks, Carol.)

From what I read about McCain's abrasive personality, I think the real key here is that he ticked so many people off during his long political career. George Smathers, the Senator from FL from 1952 to 1970, told me once, "Paul, it really doesn't matter what people do to you, as long as they are nice about it."

I know that sounds a little extreme, but it captures the importance of being nice to people, even when you disagree with them and even if they are not very nice to you. Smathers was a terrific politician and, for the law firm and himself, a great rain-maker. He was also a crafty individual who loved money, power, and adulation, and was able to acquire a measure of each that few people are able to acquire (or care to acquire).

My sense is that McCain never learned that lesson. Maybe his crankiness helped him survive the Hanoi Hilton, but maybe it made it tougher. But certainly the Senate was not the place for being unkind, and now the chickens are coming home to roost, perhaps to the detriment of the country.

1 comment:

Sean Meade said...

couldn't agree more, Paul. one reason i'm wary of his run...