On Managing Multiple Crisis in a Time of Change
CNN political commentator Van Jones, reflecting on the McAuliffe loss in Virginia, observed that Democrats have not paid sufficient attention to the day to day concerns of Americans. While still staunchly supporting the Democratic agenda, Van Jones was talking about how best to navigate the impact of change.

Strategically, he is dead on. People can’t be expected to ignore current issues and fears while waiting for big ideas to prove out. The pace of change can’t outrun the electorate’s ability to understand policies designed to address bigger problems. “What have you done for me lately”, is still a key voter consideration. The art of managing big change has to work with the present self-interests. Not easy, but essential.

Not everyone is in the same place regarding exactly what, of the multiple issues we face, are a crisis and in what order they need to be addressed. Navigating today’s political environment, while seeking to effect change, requires extraordinary skills. Those leaders we now admire, had a complete sense of the needs of the moment, their critical role in assuring people that their solutions were effective and demonstrating they were capable of easing immediate concerns while laying the groundwork for future progress. Lincoln never wavered on the importance of keeping the union together, while addressing the evils of slavery. Roosevelt understood the need to end the Great Depression while also keeping the globe from fascism. Kennedy was able to gain support for social change, while pursuing the potential of a vastly successful and hopeful people. For Biden and the Democrats to rebound from yesterday’s election results, they need to be three-hundred- and sixty-degree politicians.

American’s are not of one mind about what “crisis” we need to resolve. For some it is evident that climate change must be addressed. Others see that as a more distant threat and are focused on their economic security and cultural divides. Some see the accumulation of wealth in a few hands as the ruination of the nation, while others believe government overreach is to be feared more. The price of gas is of more immediate concern to many, than repairing the nations crumbling infrastructure or attacking the erosion of the middle class. And on it goes. A significant number of Americans don’t see the alarm over issues that others see as the sky falling in. The answer is to work at it all. Keep the commuter train on time while building that trans-continental high-speed network.

The various factions within the Democratic Party have to absorb these realities or fail. They need to understand that people have to see things getting done, to continue to have support. Smaller steps on multiple issues is a better strategy for success than stubbornly hewing to their ultimate visions. It takes time, education, communication and proof of effective governance to find the common path and critical mass for change. As we see within the Democratic scuffle over the reconciliation bill, the pace of progress will be determined by the most resistant to change. We also see that there are those with extreme skill at promoting diversions, designed to derail any effort that would push the hogs away from the trough.

We are in extraordinary times that call for extraordinary leadership. That is the challenge the voters of Virginia have laid down. Only by taking care of the present, will any leader earn the right to address the future.

ihg 11-4-2021
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