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Politics to be about remembrance. The best politicians were those who
remembered and were remembered the most -- the most people, the littlest
favors, the smallest slights, the best anecdotes tying one's politics to
the common memory of the constituency. Politics was also about
gratitude. Politicians were always thanking people, "without whom"
whatever under discussion could not have happened. You not only thanked
those in the room -- as many as possible by name -- you even thanked
those without -- for "having prepared the wonderful meal which we have
just partaken of." The politician was the creation of others, and never
failed to mention it. Above all, politics was about relationships. The
politician grew organically out of a constituency and remained rooted to
it as long as incumbency lasted. Today, we increasingly elect people
about whom we have little to remember, to whom we owe no gratitude and
with whom we have no relationship except that formed during the great
carnie show we call a campaign. Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson spoke for
many contemporary politicians when he answered a question about his
memories of Thanksgiving Day football games by saying, "Memories? That's
not my style."- Sam Smith
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Politics to be about remembrance. The best politicians were those who
remembered and were remembered the most -- the most people, the littlest
favors, the smallest slights, the best anecdotes tying one's politics to
the common memory of the constituency. Politics was also about
gratitude. Politicians were always thanking people, "without whom"
whatever under discussion could not have happened. You not only thanked
those in the room -- as many as possible by name -- you even thanked
those without -- for "having prepared the wonderful meal which we have
just partaken of." The politician was the creation of others, and never
failed to mention it. Above all, politics was about relationships. The
politician grew organically out of a constituency and remained rooted to
it as long as incumbency lasted. Today, we increasingly elect people
about whom we have little to remember, to whom we owe no gratitude and
with whom we have no relationship except that formed during the great
carnie show we call a campaign. Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson spoke for
many contemporary politicians when he answered a question about his
memories of Thanksgiving Day football games by saying, "Memories? That's
not my style."- Sam Smith
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