Elizabeth Drew Quotes
The impulse to surrender electoral advantage does not course strongly through the politicians veins.
Elizabeth Drew, Journalist, "Watch 'En Squirm," New York Times Magazine, March 14, 1993
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
See {622517}, {630714} , and {625924} for other quotes on Congressional courage.
In one of the most unusual revolutions in world history, Brazil became independent from Portugal via a revolution led by the son of the Portuguese King and heir to the throne, Pedro I. The crown prince of Portugal, led Brazil in her breakaway from Portugal and by popular acclaim became Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil. He is probably the only monarch in history who was the heredity monarch of one kingdom and selected by popular acclaim to the throne of another.
He does not mean that all of a president’s actions betray the principles and promises to the president’s political base. But there are inevitably, some issues where every president does this. The most popular president in American history--Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1882-1945, 32nd President of the United States (Democrat, NY)—was constantly being criticized by his most ardent supporters for not doing enough or allowing unfair situations to remain uncorrected. Racial discrimination—even in the armed forces—was one. Internment of Japanese American Citizens was another. Essentially the President’s election is partisan, but his governing must serve those who did not vote for him as well as those who expect his partisan loyalty.
Weltner was the only Georgia politician who urged state compliance with the Federal Civil Rights Law of 1964. (See {637605}.) The others advocated disobedience, crime, and obstruction, particularly the Democratic Party Candidate for Governor Lester Maddox who also advocated racial violence and had a history of it himself. Weltner refused to support Maddox, and the Democratic Party then instituted a loyalty oath for all party candidates where they promised to support and campaign for all party candidates on the ticket. Welter refused to sign the oath and support Maddox, and therefore gave up the Democratic nomination which at the time virtually guaranteed a win. (Soon after, the segregationist politicians of the South accepted the Republican invitation to switch parties and since then the remaining racists and anti-civil rights politicians run as Republicans.
Much obviously is but every President and his White House deals with issues and problems where there is no time or opportunity to take the effect on electoral politics into consideration. Many actions are taken without any such consideration, sometimes to the regret of the President’s political staff. Even then, the press tends to believe that it was a blunder, that the White House misjudged public opinion or the like when in reality, the President and staff never even considered it.
Elizabeth Drew is an American political journalist and author.
