Ethical Political Leadership: Speaking Hard Truths
 The
Challenge
As the recent California recall campaign and election demonstrate, many
are unhappy with the quality of leadership among our politicians. But
providing ethical leadership may well mean telling people what they don't
want to hear—and possibly facing the wrath of the electorate.
What's at Stake
One reason many people supported the recall of Governor Gray Davis was
the charge that Davis had been deceitful about the seriousness of the
budget crisis facing the state. Whether Davis lied or was simply mistaken,
many facts of life in California politics seem to encourage public servants
to equivocate when serious problems confront us. Decisions with implications
10 or 15 years down the road are made by term-limited legislators who
know they will not be around to deal with the consequences. Partisanship
has become so extreme that politicians who try to find common ground with
their colleagues on the other side of the aisle are punished by their
own party. In this context, few find the courage to spend their approval
ratings on speaking hard truths.
Critical Questions
- California legislators signed off on a 2003-04 budget that many believe
only puts off hard decisions for the next fiscal year. In many cases,
these fixes mean this generation of Californians is actually borrowing
against future generations. Is this a fair way to proceed, and if not,
how can we encourage our representatives to face and make the difficult
choices?
- Alabama Governor Bob Riley shocked the conservative Republicans who
elected him by arguing for tax increases for the wealthy on the grounds
that the existing code was "immoral" because it unfairly burdened
the poor. What does the resounding defeat of Riley's proposal bode for
other politicians who advocate for causes unpopular with their own power-base?
- Is partisanship an inherent and even beneficial facet of our political
system, or has it reached the point where it interferes with the common
good?
- Can politicians answer a question, "I don't know"? Bad
politics and bad policies are too often the result of ill-considered
and misinformed decision-making. But have we created a political climate
that makes it impossible for our representatives to admit that they
are not expert in every subject?
October 23, 2003
 Read
the text of Judy Nadler’s presentation on Ethical Political Leadership:
Speaking Hard Truths.
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