Editor’s note: This commentary is by Matt Krauss, of Stowe, who is a happily retired state employee and a former Vermont legislator.
[A]fter the battle of Dunkirk and Europe had been overrun, Britain stood alone facing an undefeated army. Winston Churchill addressed his citizens to calm them and stiffen their resolve. We’ve all heard and remember his inspiring words. There were many underlying messages contained in his speeches. Here are three of them. One, he didn’t sugarcoat the drubbing they had just received. Two, he didn’t despair or dwell excessively on their present circumstances. And three, most importantly, he presented a realistic and optimistic vision of what lay ahead. If Vermont Republicans follow his messages we can regain our balance.
The first step to recovery is for the GOP is to admit the obvious and to draw the correct lessons from the election. This should be done without pointing fingers or recriminations towards our candidates. I’ve run in contested legislative races and they are never easy. Here’s my personal example of drawing the correct lessons from a bad loss.
During a high school football season we optimistically faced a well-known team. We didn’t win the game. In fact, we got beaten, badly. On the bus ride back we whined and found lots of excuses why we lost. They were a larger school, they were a division above us, they had more players, and some were better athletes. Indeed one was a future NFL/Pro Bowl player. But all of those excuses hid a more fundamental truth. They were a much better team that day. They executed their plays better, they worked harder as a team, they never quit on a play, they were better prepared, and they displayed more enthusiasm.
In November’s legislative elections the Democrats worked harder, raised more money, they organized better, and they supported their candidates better. So let’s be fair, they earned it. Let’s lift a Vermont microbrew to them and to their success. “Well-played.”
As a starting point to rebuilding we might closely examine exactly what they did during the last election. All the steps they took, all the resources they brought to bear, all the coordinated actions they took, and all the support they provided. Everything they did was legal and available to us too. Years ago a bunch of American college hockey players and their coaches closely studied how the mighty Russian hockey team won so often. They resolved to learn their style of play and to do it better. Their results produced the Miracle on Ice at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Perhaps we should imitate how they approached their challenge.
Step number two: You can visit Pity City, but you can’t live there. We all face adversity and difficult times. It’s not what happens to you in life it’s how you react to it. You know this. You teach your children after they faced defeat in an important basketball or soccer game not to get down on themselves. You remind them that tomorrow is another day.
After a defeat it’s common to attribute a sense of invulnerability to your competition. However any investment adviser will tell you it’s a dangerous assumption to project the future based upon the past. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The landscape is littered with organizations, teams, countries, and people, who, when at the top of their game, appeared invulnerable until they weren’t. Their weaknesses weren’t obvious at the time and their most recent successes hid glaring faults. Think of how far companies like Sears have fallen or how Harvey Weinstein went from Hollywood heavyweight to pariah, or how quickly all the former communist and socialist countries imploded. And change can come quite quickly. Just ask the Virginia Democratic Party. But waiting for the failure of your opponent isn’t the best way to succeed.
During the game described above an opposing player accidentally slammed his helmet into my chin. Because I had forgotten to put my mouth guard in (poor preparation) my lower teeth punched through my lip. As the blood dripped down my jersey I headed to the sidelines in some pain and looking for some sympathy. I was met by Assistant Coach Bissett a former Marine. He looked at my injury and said, “Get back in the game.” I did. And we need to get back in the game quickly, fully committed, and eager to make amends.
Lesson three: Our way forward begins by supporting our elected officials beginning with Gov. Phil Scott and his administration’s efforts to create an affordable Vermont. This support includes Republican and independent legislators who are in the trenches fighting in a challenging environment. When you see them, ask them how you can help. Better yet, call them, text them, email them, use Twitter and Facebook. Tell them you are with them. Prepare letters to the editor supporting their positions, ask to testify on behalf of their positions, or give them personal examples to support their arguments. Let them know how much you understand their circumstances and how much you appreciate how hard they are working to keep Vermont affordable.
It’s time for moderate Republicans and independents to begin the process of preparing for the future with a single goal of sending more legislators to Montpelier to ensure an affordable Vermont. That means working harder, smarter, more creatively, raising more money for our candidates, and working as an integrated team.
Yes, we are underdogs, but Vermonters appreciate underdogs and will reward those who are honest, reasonable, have a sense of humility and humor, and work hard. After all who would have predicted a race car driver from Thunder Road leading the state? Or two self-described hippies taking the ice cream world by storm?
The election is long over and Scott and all of our legislators are working for the benefit of every Vermonter. History has shown us how the British people and Winston Churchill responded after their Dunkirk. Consider the last election our Dunkirk. Our response has yet to be written.
