Corruption for the fun of it
Forty years ago, most of the nation considered the re-election of Richard Nixon in the presidential election of 1972 a sure thing. His opponent, George McGovern, was an experienced politician yet somewhat unconventional at the time in his policies and constituencies. Democrats were split in their allegiance, some were for their nominated candidate. (well, for anyone but Nixon), while others left the party for Nixon. Republicans were solidly behind Nixon's well-funded campaign, which even moderate and liberal members of the party supported.
Almost 40 years later, Vincent Gray was the leading candidate to defeat Adrian Fenty whom voters had become disillusioned with due to changes in focus in the city in development and education. Polls showed any candidate would handily defeat Fenty in the Democratic Primary, the de facto real election in DC. Fenty's efforts to reach the entire city as the first mayor chosen by the majority of voters in every precinct in every ward of the city were resented by the traditional forces of politics in DC. His administration made many improvements in city services and staffing, as I can attest as a financial and compliance officer at a charter school before and after his election. But many people liked doing things the old way: lots of jobs for friends and relatives of politicians, lots of contracts for politicians' supporters.
Two men, Nixon and Gray, nearly certain to be elected to the offices they sought. Both experienced public servants with abundant experience both governing and running for office. Both running as the mainstream candidate against candidates many considered out of touch with the people. And both of them, despite years of public service, will be remembered for the corruption that characterized their last campaign for office. Both were assured of winning by all indicators, yet their campaigns were guilty of cynical, illegal electioneering rarely seen.
Wiretapping, dirty tricks, break-ins, shadow campaigns, hidden campaign funds, all unnecessary because they were going to win no matter what. Both denied charges effusively, feigning ignorance even as aides were indicted for crimes. Both are perfect examples of corruption for the fun of it, as it wasn't even needed. Some elections are so close that little deviations and broad interpretations of the law are almost worth the risk so as to win the prize of office with it's power and influence. This was not the case in these elections, there was no need for the extra grease to get through the door. It was just corruption for the fun of it.
Reading of Vernon Hawkins guilty plea on charges brought against him as part of efforts to establish the Gray's shadow campaign reminded me of it. The election shenanigans and nepotism reported a couple years ago had evaporated from the news for a while, as Gray and others involved with his campaign would hope. Nixon and his staff hoped the story about a break-in at the Watergate complex would disappear. It is no doubt an ego trip to do something you know is wrong and get away with it. Hopefully voters will be reminded of what a foolish choice they made three years ago when they go to the polls to elect the next mayor in 2014.
I was never a fan of either man, but I will admit both accomplished things as public servants for the public good. Yet both men were ruined by the lure, habit--ok, fun--of corruption.
Almost 40 years later, Vincent Gray was the leading candidate to defeat Adrian Fenty whom voters had become disillusioned with due to changes in focus in the city in development and education. Polls showed any candidate would handily defeat Fenty in the Democratic Primary, the de facto real election in DC. Fenty's efforts to reach the entire city as the first mayor chosen by the majority of voters in every precinct in every ward of the city were resented by the traditional forces of politics in DC. His administration made many improvements in city services and staffing, as I can attest as a financial and compliance officer at a charter school before and after his election. But many people liked doing things the old way: lots of jobs for friends and relatives of politicians, lots of contracts for politicians' supporters.
Two men, Nixon and Gray, nearly certain to be elected to the offices they sought. Both experienced public servants with abundant experience both governing and running for office. Both running as the mainstream candidate against candidates many considered out of touch with the people. And both of them, despite years of public service, will be remembered for the corruption that characterized their last campaign for office. Both were assured of winning by all indicators, yet their campaigns were guilty of cynical, illegal electioneering rarely seen.
Wiretapping, dirty tricks, break-ins, shadow campaigns, hidden campaign funds, all unnecessary because they were going to win no matter what. Both denied charges effusively, feigning ignorance even as aides were indicted for crimes. Both are perfect examples of corruption for the fun of it, as it wasn't even needed. Some elections are so close that little deviations and broad interpretations of the law are almost worth the risk so as to win the prize of office with it's power and influence. This was not the case in these elections, there was no need for the extra grease to get through the door. It was just corruption for the fun of it.
Reading of Vernon Hawkins guilty plea on charges brought against him as part of efforts to establish the Gray's shadow campaign reminded me of it. The election shenanigans and nepotism reported a couple years ago had evaporated from the news for a while, as Gray and others involved with his campaign would hope. Nixon and his staff hoped the story about a break-in at the Watergate complex would disappear. It is no doubt an ego trip to do something you know is wrong and get away with it. Hopefully voters will be reminded of what a foolish choice they made three years ago when they go to the polls to elect the next mayor in 2014.
I was never a fan of either man, but I will admit both accomplished things as public servants for the public good. Yet both men were ruined by the lure, habit--ok, fun--of corruption.
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