If You Run for Office, Keep Your Emotions in Check

Muskie and Me

…and into the “bin” I go…

I admit it.

I cry.

In good times and in bad, I’ll shed a tear.

Tears of joy. Tears of sadness.

I’ll even get choked up watching movies.

I still contend that the first few minutes of Up are the most emotional driven moments of cinema ever produced.

I remember crying when the Milwaukee Brewers lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982.

But that was because I lost a dollar bet to a neighbor of mine.

And I had to ask my parents for the dollar.

I know that when our daughter moves away to college this Fall…

…I’ll be crying buckets.

I’ve already purchased a pail or two in preparation.

I’m too emotional.

I have had students over the years ask me about running for office.

Forget it.

I’m too emotional.

When you are in the public spotlight, you have to keep your emotions in check.

I’m not good at that.

I’m just too emotional.

Showing your human side in politics can be harmful to your career.

That happened in 1972.

Edmund Muskie was a United States Senator from Maine and was considered to be the front runner for the Democratic nomination for President that year. He was, after all, on the losing end of the 1968 election as Hubert Humphrey’s running mate.

Naturally, he would be out in front, early on.

And naturally, all arrows would be pointed at him.

None were more pointed than from the Richard Nixon team on the Republican side of the spectrum, as Nixon and his team felt that Muskie was their greatest threat in ‘72.

Enter the “Canuck Letter”

The letter, supposedly written by someone who interviewed Muskie, quoted Muskie as referring to French-Canadians as “Canucks”. The letter, which was a forgery written by members of Nixon’s team, was published in the conservative-leaning, Manchester Union Leader and caused Muskie to defend himself against using the derogatory term. The Union Leader had it out for Muskie (and his wife) for years and was willing to stop him in any way, shape or form in 1972.

Two weeks before the New Hampshire Primary, Muskie took to the steps of the newspaper’s offices, defending himself against the “Canuck Letter”, defending his wife against the paper’s vendetta towards her and…

…cried.

At least that’s what was reported.

Muskie claimed that those weren’t tears rolling down his face.

It was nothing more than snow that melted on his cheeks.

But it was too late.

Muskie lost the New Hampshire Primary.

Then lost in the Florida Primary soon after.

And just like that…

Muskie dropped from the race.

Not because of his stances on the issues of the day.

Not because of his political record from his past.

But because he was too emotional.

Wearing your emotions in public is a political liability.

It was then.

It is now.

I could never run for office.

I’m too emotional.

…and back into the “bin” it goes.

Photo: Muskie! bumper sticker (1972). From the author’s collection in “The Schreck Bin”