Lessons for Politicians

Kerby Anderson

Kerby Anderson, Point of View: Over the last few months, members of Congress, governors, and state legislators have been taking some unpopular positions concerning budgets and policy issues. As the media and various interest groups have increased their pressure on these representatives, I was reminded of the advice Marc Thiessen presented to the freshman class of Congress back in January.

He is a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and has been on my radio program to talk about his latest book. But it was his past position serving on the staff of Senator Jesse Helms that he used as illustrations.

His first piece of advice was to ignore the national media. Once when the New York Times wrote a nasty editorial about Helms, Marc Thiessen drafted a vigorous rebuttal. Helms smiled at him kindly and said, “Son, just so you understand: I don’t care what the New York Times says about me, and nobody I care about cares what the New York Times says about me.”

Learn the rules. That was another piece of advice he passed on to the freshman class. Helms was able to stop bad bills simply because he understood the rules of the Senate and could tie it in knots. He also knew how to force votes on important bills.

One time when Jesse Helms was doing just that in late December, a senator approached him and said, “Jesse, if you don’t relent we’re going to be here singing ‘Silent Night.’” Helms replied, “If I don’t get my vote, we’re going to be singing ‘Auld Land Syne.’” The senator got the point, and Jesse Helms got his vote.

One more piece of advice is to be kind. Marc Theissen said Jesse Helms “was kind to liberals and conservatives, senators and elevator operators, and especially to his own staff, whom he referred to as his Senate family. A reputation for kindness will serve you well – especially when you are forcing colleagues to take uncomfortable votes or miss their flights home.”

These are just a few of his suggestions. Those who serve in public office would do well to learn them, especially as they have to take more and more unpopular stands about budgets and policies. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my point of view.

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