The Democratic Party’s current dilemma is a bit like a challenge faced by U.S. diplomats back in 1929. That year, the new Secretary of State, Henry L. Stimpson, cut State Department funding for military intelligence. His reasoning has since become famous: “Gentlemen do not read each other’s mail.”
But civility quickly surrendered to necessity, and the gentlemanly conduct of foreign affairs didn’t last. Global spying on one’s allies is routine these days; Stimpson seems foolishly naïve.
Democrats find themselves at a Stimpson-like crossroad: They want to take the high road, and they also want to win. At last week’s Democratic convention Michelle Obama urged her party to win without sacrificing its dignity. “When they go low, we go high,” she said. Those are words to live by. We encourage self-restraint in our children when they face provocation by assuring them that “We’re better than that.” We teach them a math of justice, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” These are unquestionably good values, but can they work in politics? For the full article click here
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