No one alive can always be an angel
When things go wrong, I seem to be bad
I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood
— “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” Animals and Nina Simone
The rise and fall in politics is a really a remarkably cool thing to observe. I have toiled in the vineyard for four decades and have seen quite a few who made their way up the political ladder, and I have seen quite a few fall headfirst down the very ladder they crawled up. But what is the most reliably “wow” factor is the pronounced change of one’s personality once the climb begins.
The transformation during the climb up, rung by rung, is subtle at first. But when you step back (think final scene in the movie, Usual Suspects) and look at the entire board and journey, you can’t help but see the once well-meaning novice, who was pure of heart and motive, slowly make the inevitable transformative journey.
We all start out innocent and very few of us escape running through the political gauntlet unmarked.
Those newcomers to the game are fresh faced and bubbling with excitement and enthusiasm. They take instructions well and welcome any part of the politicos. They truly appreciate being at the adult table and the breathless appreciation is noticeable.
As the climb continues and the participants receive some markers of success and get some individual recognition and some sense of self-purpose, you see the little signs of ego appear, and at the very same instant, eroding self-awareness.
As the climb of political ambition and power grows, so too, grows the confidence and with an inverse relationship, the appreciation and respect for the game and seasoned gamers who helped get you there.
As I stated many times before, everyone in politics got there because of the hard work of others and many on top quickly forget about the team effort and that generational collaboration. You want to know how it ends more off than not? I’m afraid to report, not well.
The head turning ascent of these wonderkids sooner or later hits an apex and stops, circles for a moment, and then plummets back to Earth, like Icarus flying too close to the sun. The reality is those political shooting stars never spent enough time learning the basics in politics and in life.
Like a deep-sea diver who shoots too fast to the surface, too little training and too little respect for the laws of nature and gravity inevitably lead to the bends. I find real life examples are very helpful to drive the point home.
I recently had a breakfast with a former power player who held one of the most important and powerful jobs in the State. Overnight, due to ego and political missteps, he found himself without a friend in New Jersey. We talked about his rapid surge to power and his precipitous fall from grace. He wasn’t 100% understanding that he alone was responsible for his demise, and at the same time, failed to recall the many others who assisted him and propped him up to get him to the promise land.
Another quick story. It was 1999 and I was an Assemblyman, County Chair and advisor to then very popular County Executive. We received a call from Trenton that they wanted some qualified names to vet for Essex County Prosecutor. We called some of the top lawyers and shortlisted two candidates. We recommended the deputy administrator who had previous experience as a prosecutor in two counties. The candidate was delighted with our support and pledged to work cooperatively with the administration.
Fast forward – the day the County Prosecutor was sworn in, she failed to invite many of us to her profligate coronation. We soon lost all contact with this Prosecutor, and she made headlines with her colossally stupid missteps. We soon heard rumors that she was looking to run for Governor. After a few more reported incidents, rumors broke out that the Attorney General was going to supersede the office. Strangely, after that rumor hit the Hall of Records, and out of the blue, I received a call from the distressed prosecutor. She called and asked if could meet her for lunch.
I selected Seabra’s on 21 and I reluctantly met this public official. Needless to say, at lunch she lost some of her recent confidence and swagger and was desperately in need of help. She looked at me like a child and said can you help me out? At that moment, I thought of Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather and channeled my best Tom Hagen- I said, “I can’t do it”. Without fanfare or emotion, I paid the bill and walked away. Days later the Attorney General took over the office and another character fell off the political ladder.
Politics is a fickle business and there are a few hard and fast rules. Watch as you climb up and be kind to those who help, as you will need them when you start the climb down, which is only a matter of time. In the meantime, enjoy the climb and bring as many people along for the joyous ride as possible.