Be Careful What You Say

Rove's Critical Mistake. There are many reasons the Republicans stumbled so badly in yesterday's election. I believe the Republicans started to unravel just a few days after the 2004 elections, when Karl Rove told reporters that he planned to stay at the White House and did not plan to get involved in future presidential campaigns. That offhand comment weakened his hand at disciplining the Republican troops, since no Republicans had cause to fear him as much. Rove recognized the problem and, just days, later tried to recover, but the damage was done. The Republicans started to fray.

Pelosi's Comment. In politics, you don't make promises you can not keep. On NPR this morning, I heard Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi say that under her leadership the House of Representatives in the 110th Congress would be the most ethical, most principled, and most honorable House ever. It sounds good, but even the NPR newscaster noted that it was "an awful big promise to keep." As soon as something unethical, unprincipled, and/or dishonorable happens--and it will--Pelosi's comment will come back at her.

Politics is a tough business.