Strictly Business?
Hot Air tossed me to this CNN article. The GOP is hosting an event in DC next week, featuring John Boehner. But don’t call it a party:
Although the invitation, obtained by CNN, asks Republican guests to come in appreciation for “making calls, knocking on doors, [and] selling the fight,” GOP sources say they will do their best to keep the atmosphere low key.
“This event is not a fundraiser and it is not a ‘party’ – even if voters remove Democrats from power, you don’t celebrate at a time when one in 10 Americans are out of work and our children’s future is threatened by mountains of debt,” NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain told CNN.
It’s a good call, if they can pull it off. I remember a few years back when we had a corporate event. One of our execs had just shut down a large organization, and he spent the night dancing on the floor and making a fool out of himself. Quite a few people commented on his apparent unconcern that he’d just put hundreds of people out of a job, and I think it affected his future at the company. There are other examples I could think of, but it’s pretty clear that a leader will reflect the organization.
Several Republican sources have told CNN over the past few days that Boehner made clear to colleagues and staff that he wants Americans to see that Republicans in Washington understand that the public is angry at Washington – and that includes the GOP establishment.
The intent of the Repub leadership is apparent. This is business and they’re going to act like it. The bigger question is whether they can pull it off. Even a few slip-ups would likely get some serious air coverage, where a sober but happy appearance wouldn’t play all that well on TV.
I still have a question on how fast the Republicans will move on driving a new type of agenda. I have my doubts, expressed here in my last few posts, on the real intent of the Right if it takes leadership. For now, I’ll be watching the returns from my random hotel room that night to see just what the leading intent will be from both parties.
Just because you can do a thing doesn’t mean one should do a thing. Learning how to behave appropriately isn’t always ones first impulse. But it is important to act as you would have others act. Do as I say, not as I do is not a winning formula for success. Nice reminder. Thank you.
.