The 10 Worst Mistakes of Winning Candidates

Dr. Bill Smith, Editor: Considering the recent Republican debates performances and news about various actions by members of campaign teams has led me to share the following words by a leader of conservatism in the United States. Morton Blackwell addressed the worst mistakes by winning candidates but in reality the list is also relevant to the "incumbent" candidates and their campaigns. Hat tip to  the NFRA, the flag ship of the state Republican Assemblies, for calling attention to Morton Blackwell's list of the "The 10 Worst Mistakes of Winning Candidates."

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Morton Blackwell

Some candidates win but disappoint their supporters and even themselves. They achieve little or nothing of what they hoped to do. Here are incumbents' worst mistakes:

1. Hiring staff who don't personally share their policy agendas. Personnel is policy. Staff who lack enthusiasm for their bosses' priorities prevent elected officials from doing what they intended to do in office.

2. Not keeping campaign promises. These days voters have little tolerance for incumbents who break their word.

3. Not paying attention to the interests of the coalition which elected them. Incumbents lose their allies when they don't vote right, sponsor key legislation or sign allies' fundraising letters and aren't there when their friends need them.

4. Seeking approval of their enemies, particularly their media enemies. Many incumbents start craving to have everyone love them and no one hate them. But trying to make friends of their enemies makes enemies of their friends.

5. Failure to handle constituent relations effectively. All politics is personal. Service can be as important to voters as policy. They appreciate prompt, personal service when they contact those elected to serve them.

6. Succumbing to temptations newly present when one achieves some power. Election to office tests anyone's strength of character, family ties and personal morality.

7. Getting greedy for money or higher office.

8. Becoming arrogant. Many people, constituents who request help and especially the officials' staff, treat incumbents with deference bordering on obsequiousness. A consequent loss of humility can destroy a politician's base.

9. Accommodating opposition incumbents who now are "distinguished colleagues." Excessive collegiality is a trap for incumbents who really want to accomplish things.

10. Not helping to nominate and elect allies in their home states and elsewhere. A well-run team takes care of its own. Serious politicians work hard to elect others who share their public policy principles.
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Morton Blackwell is president of The Leadership Institute, a non-partisan educational foundation he founded. The institute prepares conservatives for success in politics, government and the news media.  Blackwell served as Special Assistant to the President Regan on his  White House Staff from 1981-1984. He serves on the RNC’s Standing Committee on Rules and has attended every meeting of the Republican National Conventions’ Rules Committees since 1972.

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