New member of Congress are just now settling in, and some with modest awareness of what traps can befall them. The typical first-time victor in an election, at any level actually -- local, state, or national -- often experiences euphoria on that day he or she wins and ascends to political office. “Gosh, the people wanted me... I am a leader.... This is what I've been seeking... I'm going to be among the best they've ever had.” On and on go the thoughts about how the term in office will unfold.
Traps Galore
Too often, newbies fall into traps. One trap is assembling a staff who are not fully on board with their desired policies and programs. Key staff members who fail to share in their bosses’ zeal can end up being stumbling blocks rather than springboards to success.
Being accessible, as well, is a key characteristic of politicians who wish to be known as leaders of the people. If you've ever tried to visit an elected official on any level, however, you quickly encounter delays or endless hoops to jump through. And your actual meeting might be for a whole three minutes with an underling. Any follow-up, if it ever comes, can take months and could be far less than you had sought.
The failure to follow-up, or to monitor and keep abreast of key constituent interests, especially of those who served as allies throughout the campaign is a troublesome faux pas. Why do candidates take their eye off of key individuals and key groups? Sometimes they're unaware that they are not paying sufficient attention. Maybe they're overwhelmed by the new responsibilities and activities that confront them. Perhaps they believe that they've risen above it all and don’t need to heed key supporters.
To Renege is to Enrage
Candidates who play their cards too close to the chest can run into problems when they realize that they're not sharing vital ideas with those who could otherwise assist. Some winning candidates don't recognize the importance of becoming an ally to others in their sphere and of offering the boost that allies are capable of providing. Most concerning to the voters who supported the winning candidate, however is when that individual reneges on campaign pledges.
Candidates could once promise the world, deliver very little, and somehow managed to be reelected. Today, this is decreasingly likely. The internet, which captures everything forever, coughs up accounts of what the candidate promised and such claims can quickly be found by both friends and foes alike.
Kamala Harris, who flip-flopped on her long-term positions on major issues, could not escape the trail that she had blazed over the years. Her socialist/Marxist view of the world and the ways in which she sought to control the populace were evident to anyone undertaking even light internet research.
The Lures, the Temptations
Elected officials are often tantalized by lures and temptations which are far beyond the world of everyday voters: lavish trips abroad, nights in swanky hotels, lucrative gifts, insider tips, and all kinds of booty. Sure, laws have been enacted to prevent such occurrences. Still, there are many ways to make end runs.
Especially among elected officials who ascended from modest means, a sampling of the good life becomes more than merely a sample. It becomes their way of life. Thereafter, it is not surprising that they lose touch with constituents’ concerns.
In contemporary America, elected officials, particularly on the right are often lured and fall into a well-documented trap. Because the U.S. media leans decidedly left, some leaders on the right are prone to seek approval from a hostile press.
Appeasing the Libstream Press
Even if your views are practical and well conceived, the press will seek some chink in your logic. They will twist your words and phrases. Whatever they can pull out-of-context will be used against you.
Even if a newly elected GOP official scores some minor successes here and there, long-term, appeasing the press does not work. Because some politicians are too needy, they require every other person they meet to sing their praises. They seek to have no bad press about them. In kowtowing to the press, however they the lose respect among reporters and supporters. Invariably, such individuals sell out their strongest constituents.
All told, being a public servant today, especially on the Right, is not for the faint of heart. There is no continual way to escape the glare of publicity, brought on by the ubiquitous press which works for the opposition. Luckily for us, good, new GOP candidates emerge all the time.