By Rev. Carey Grady, 7th Episcopal District
Politics is the Art of Compromise. Compromise is an intentional and mature way of handling conflicting ideas and potential conflict. Compromise occurs when groups make concessions. Unfortunately, we are missing the art of compromise in today’s political climate. Politics has become a dirty nonphysical combat sport steeped in perception and built on people, power, influence, and money. Yet, in the midst of ideological differences and public debate is compromise. Progress is often the result of compromise. Politics are important because that is how we make decisions.
The most dominant influence on modern American politics in the 20th and 21st Centuries is the influence of the media. A news clip, sound bite, newspaper article, blog, or trend on social media can build or tear down political aspirations or careers overnight.
The press coverage of Vice-President Kamala Harris is designed to derail her potential Presidential aspirations but, in fact,is giving us a glimpse of what life is like for a Vice-President.
When was the last time the media reported on a vice-president’s staff transitions? Can you honestly recite the names of the Chief of Staff, Press Secretary, Director of Press Operations, or Director and Deputy Director of Public Engagement of present and former Vice Presidents? No! And more than likely, you will not know the names of future Vice-Presidential Administrations. Do you know the name and address of the official Vice-Presidential residence? Probably Not! Everyone knows 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Few know 1 Observatory Circle.
The coverage of the swift and frequent transitions of the Vice President’s staff is designed to make her look incompetent as a leader. To say this is sexist is an understatement; unfortunately, racism comes with it, intentionally and unintentionally. The barrage of negative coverage about her staff comings and goings speaks to the fear of VP Harris’s future endeavors.
The shallowness of President George H. W. Bush’s Vice-President Dan Quayle did not take this kind of heat, and Quayle kept putting his foot in his mouth. Nevertheless, the coverage of Harris’s staff transitions speaks to her future as one of the faces of the Democratic Party.
Washington, District of Columbia, and Capitol Hill jobs are transitory. Young people want a Congressperson’s, Senator’s,or Vice President’s staff position on their resume in hopes of landing a major job.
No one wants to make a career working for a Vice-President, a gig that can last four to eight years max. Few VPs become President, with the recent exceptions of Presidents Nixon, Johnson, Ford, Bush, and Biden. Most vice-presidents end their political careers as Vice-President, including VPs Humphrey, Agnew, Rockefeller, Mondale, Quayle, Gore, Cheney, and Pence.
Vice presidential staffers are young and on the upward swing. Being on the VP’s staff is a launching pad. It is time for the media to stop making it seem like VP Harris is incompetent. The staffers leaving are part of the cycle for staffers hoping for the next big thing. In our rock star culture why would a young person want to stay on the staff of the number 2 when there are more glamorous jobs with more pay?
The Rev. Carey A. Grady is the pastor of Reid Chapel AME Church in Columbia, South Carolina (www.reidchapel.org). He believes words have power. He blogs at www.careyagrady.com.
