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Uncivil behavior

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Eric Zorn concludes today’s column about candidates refusing to concede or act politely after a race is over:

Campaigning is often an uncivil sport, in part because voters seem to respond to slashing personal attacks. But, like actual sport, it relies on an overarching and enduring civility.

In short, practical and consistent as they may be, [Alan] Keyes and [Phil] Crane should be ashamed of themselves for forgetting their good manners.

Good jab, Eric. My only problem with the thesis is that Alan Keyes had no decent manners to forget. Keyes began, ran and finished his campaign as perhaps the most uncivil major-party, statewide general election candidate this state has ever seen.

Gracious concession requires that a politician recognize and bow to the people’s will. Alan Keyes believes he is the instrument of God’s will. Therefore, no concessions are necessary because he did as instructed.

Phil Crane’s heavily Republican district insulated him from the people’s will for so long that he believed he owned the seat. In situations like Crane’s, opponents are viewed as thieves who want to steal an owner’s most cherished possession. Nobody ever thanks a thief for a job well done.

I agree that more civility would be a good thing. But Keyes and Crane (and state Rep. Ricca Slone and several others this year) are clueless about the concept. Good riddance to all.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 16, 04 @ 1:08 pm

Comments

OK, Rich, you got me.
EZ

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 16, 04 @ 2:46 pm
Lol. Wasn’t trying to get you. Just adding to your wisdom.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 16, 04 @ 2:49 pm
I don’t believe Judge Gordon Maag has acknowledged that he lost to Judge (now Justice) Lloyd Karmeier in the Fifth District Supreme Court race.

BTW, I worked for Crane some 30 years ago and am stunned by his lack of class in this transition. Failing to congratulate the winner is bad enough, but not cooperating in transition matters, including handling of constituent case work, is an abuse of the authority of the office.

Comment by Ed Murnane Thursday, Dec 16, 04 @ 8:45 pm
The rude behavior continues even in Will County…former state’s atty. Jeff Tomczak never conceded/congratulated returning state’s attorney Jim Glasgow, and didn’t participate in ANY transition-related work regarding pending cases, office operations, etc.

Comment by DonkeyWill Sunday, Dec 19, 04 @ 12:58 pm
Lack of civility? Why doesn’t Crane just SUE, like former Appellate Judge Gordon Maag is doing? I guess Crane doesn’t know the “Madison County” way of getting even in politics.

Allen Adomite
icjl.blogspot.com

Comment by Allen Adomite Tuesday, Dec 21, 04 @ 4:30 pm

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