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* This is good advice during any election cycle, but it’s particularly good advice during the current Chicago mayoral campaign. Lots of old friends and allies are on different sides right now and things are really heating up between them…
The last time I saw @bsleet, about a week and a half before he died, he made a point to remind me that elections come and go, and that we have to do the work to preserve our friendships, even when we're not on the same side of every fight. Thinking about that a lot these days.
— Joanna Klonsky (@joannaklonsky) January 30, 2019
It’s not personal, it’s business. Or, it should be anyway.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 9:32 am
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I agree great advice.
I don’t talk politics with my friends either in person or on social media with the exception of this anonymous blog. That being said, we’ve lost a few friends the past few years bacause they know my background and political leanings. I do regret that very much.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 9:38 am
Great words to try to live by, but rarely followed by campaign people who keep track and keep score and travel in cliques behind candidates for the most part. I like the sentiment from our friend who has passed.
Comment by west wing Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 9:53 am
I heard a fellow precinct committeeman, a plumber by trade, tell a person seeking a position, “I’m already backing someone else so I can’t be with you this time, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I can’t be with you next time.” Honest and succinct.
Comment by RW Bugswell Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 9:59 am
It’s always seemed to me like the principals understand that a little better than the staff, too.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 9:59 am
–Lots of old friends and allies are on different sides right now and things are really heating up between them…–
I bet. Turnout in the first round of the 2015 Chicago muni elections was just 34%.
The competition for those who will actually show up to vote must be fierce, and just a handful of them could make the difference as to who makes the runoff.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:00 am
I remember a time more than 20 years ago in Springfield when D’s and R’s would battle by day, but share a meal or a drink after hours. Unfortunately, in today’s hyperpartisanship, those days appear to be gone. It would be nice to get back to that again.
Comment by Suburbanon Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:01 am
I’ve been around the political campaign block, and this is excellent advice. Fight like hell to win on the field, but always do things so you can remain friends. Live by these words.
Comment by Tom Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:03 am
I’m sad Brian isn’t around for this election. Who would have more fun and greet more people than him?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:05 am
“Tell Mike it was only business. I always liked him.”
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:06 am
Business is always personal. We are supposed to ignore that.
Comment by My New Handle Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:12 am
I’ve really had to ignore formerly unnoticed traits in friends and relatives that have now become apparent in this bizarro political world. Differences about economic policies are one thing. But when formerly respected friends/family start spouting about the Deep State conspiracy and how Trump is going to save us from those invaders, you suddenly have to question your previous assumptions about people. I’m often stunned to discover that people who I thought were very much like me can have such dark sides. The aforementioned sentiment about preserving friendships is valid, but it’s not easy sometimes.
Comment by Msix Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:18 am
-I remember a time more than 20 years ago in Springfield when D’s and R’s would battle by day, but share a meal or a drink after hours. Unfortunately, in today’s hyperpartisanship, those days appear to be gone. It would be nice to get back to that again.
Things were so much better with the old 59 cumulative voting districts with three representatives, two from one party and one from the other. They had to work together for their region and it wasn’t always the current rhetoric of blasting the other party which gets us nowhere. Pat Quinn’s Legislative Reduction ballot initiative, which gave us 118 single districts, took away minority representation, resulted in most of the power landing in the hands of the leadership at the end of every session and one of the main reasons the ultimate power belongs to the Speaker.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:19 am
Anonymous 10:19 - How right you are. My father was a state rep and lost his seat in the single member district after the redistricting. While he was in Springfield, his commuting partner to and from the capitol was our state senator of the opposite party, who always remained a good friend.
Msix - I also agree with you too but I do think time will take care of a lot of this - DJT can’t be around forever and, at some point I believe, the fever will break.
Comment by Paddyrollingstone Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:38 am
What anonymous said @ 10:19. At least in terms of the State legislature.
This issue is much bigger than Illinois. Seems nobody seems to tolerate an opinion different from themselves. And few seem to be able to keep their personal political opinions to themselves.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:39 am
Agree, but it’s also a good time to see who actually wasn’t your friend in the first place!
Comment by WSJ Paywall Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 10:50 am
I have to remind myself of this a lot. I truly see most of my positions as based on morality (yes I realize most people do) and so I get rather hot under the collar during policy debates. I really see most opposing views as harmful to people. And of course the people I argue with could say the same. Need to take a breath before I get mean (I fail entirely too often.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 11:33 am
I believe there was and is civility when all sides of an issue have a similar understanding of the facts and disagree on the course of action to be taken in light of the facts.
In the age of Trump et al, they have decided to ignore facts or make up their own truth and therefore disagreements are inevitable.
Comment by don the legend Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 12:50 pm
Reminds me of something that happened when I was Campaign Manager for former Congressman John Porter (R-10th, IL).
During a particularly heated primary election (and on a bitterly cold day), the campaign was hosting a coffee/conversation with residents at a school. Outside was a group of people supporting his opponent, carrying signs criticizing Rep. Porter, waving his opponent’s yard signs, etc.
During a break in the meeting, John told me to bring some of the hot coffee and donuts we had to the people demonstrating outside. I asked why and will never forget his reply: “Remember something… those people outside are not our enemies, they are our political opponents.”
We sure don’t see much of that attitude these days.
Comment by chitowndrummer Thursday, Jan 31, 19 @ 3:51 pm