Taking Flak for What's Right

Who deserves an award for political courage for the year just past? Columnist Joe Klein has an on-the-mark commentary in Time Magazine this week. He gives what he calls "Teddy Awards" annually, named for Teddy Roosevelt, author of the famous quote, "It is not the critic that counts..." but "the man who is actually in the arena...who spends himself in a worthy cause" and who knows either "the triumph of high achievement" or "if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly."          

Klein justifiably gives highest Teddy plaudits to President Barack Obama. While inflexible opposition and hyperbole surrounds him, Obama merits the Teddy because "his policies remain moderate, sane and humane. And by and large, they've worked." His stimulus prevented a depression and laid the foundation for the present recovery, his executive action on immigration is realistic and "surpassingly moral," as was his decision to send 3,000 troops to West Africa to build facilities to help head off the Ebola epidemic.  His health care plan "quietly brought coverage to millions," and the continuing negotiations with Iran are perhaps the only chance to head off a general war in the Middle East. He does what's right regardless of fanatical criticism at every turn. In an apt reference to contemporary American politics, Klein characterizes the president's approach as "stubborn sanity."

Klein awarded Teddies to Democratic candidates Michelle Nunn (lost running for Senator from
Georgia) and Seth Moulton (won a congressional seat in Massachusetts) for spending time during their campaigns actually doing public service, something ironically rather unusual among those asking for our votes as public servants. Paul Rieckhoff of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America got a Teddy for his persistence in taking on the VA, which ultimately led to revelations of incompetence and corruption, the dismissal of the Secretary and a major housecleaning at the Department.

Three potential 2016 presidential candidates make Klein's list. Democrat Elizabeth Warren earns a "lifetime" Teddy "for her work against the depredations of the financial sector and her ability to explain complex problems in a manner comprehensible to average humans." Republicans are not left out. Jeb Bush gets a Teddy for "challenge (ing) his party on immigration and education"and Rand Paul for doing the same on foreign warmongering and "prison reform."

Three longtime public servants now retiring make the list too. Klein gives former Defense Secretary Robert Gates a Teddy for standing up to ideologues of both parties and his own department's bureaucracy. Ambassadors Christopher Hill and William Burns get Teddies for decades of often-dangerous service around the world on behalf of their fellow Americans.  And finally, posthumous awards go to the courageous journalists who died "in pursuit of the story this year, especially those beheaded by ISIS."

It was a welcome column and a sobering reminder that right and justice are not always easily achieved.  There are always prices to be paid, and all progress in life depends on the willingness of the dedicated to pay them.