Apologies [View All]

A campaign that I am actively working on, for a man I deeply respect, had a misstep today. And my fear is that they won't correct it.

The Jim Webb campaign published an ad using Ronald Reagan talking about Jim Webb's many accomplishments. Politics, being the big ugly thing that it is, especially for a capable man who switched parties, upchucked.

Some people in the Republican Party must have contacted the frail, elderly Nancy Reagan and I believe she was persuaded to ask that the ad be pulled. So there really is no choice but to pull the ad. You can't disrespect a First Lady and most importantly, you won't win any votes doing so. Not in Virginia, where going against an elderly widow's wishes won't win you any votes. So you need to apologize your ass off and do it graciously. I'm a master at this, as I've done stupid things at work I needed to apologize for.

Even if you think you are right, you should apologize. Why? Not because it's your truth but because it's societies' truth and this is a entirely different thing. A very hard lesson for me to learn personally, but having learned it, I can only pass it on.

You know what, if you're sincere, they'll probably forgive you. And you can graciously turn this kind of negative stuff around. Everyone screws up, but to apologize gracefully is a God-given gift. One that will be remembered come election day.


A Postscript:

Here's the way I look at it. What if Joe Lieberman were to put out an ad for his Independent Senate race with footage of Gore praising him or even the nominating speeches at the Democratic Convention of 2000. If Gore's voice was used to praise Lieberman wouldn't he be in the political hot seat to renounce these comments now that the candidate has left the political party? Would you let that stand, if you were Gore?