Dean Hartwell’s Perspective: Political Football (1/20/03)

In recent days, people opposed to the military action have tried to
get a message across to President Bush not to go to war on Iraq. 
These protestors have spoken out, made signs, passed around electronic
mail petitions and have used other forms of communication to send
their message.

So far, none of these communications appear to have had any effect. 
Maybe it is time to try something new.

With the Super Bowl coming up, the public should think football. 
Using the sport’s terminology, it could keep score of President Bush’s
actions toward Iraq.  Even though the President has a baseball
background, these words would make the anti-war case in a way even he
would understand.

For example, when the President achieves a goal that most of the
public supports, we should award him a touchdown, worth six points in
opinion polls.  Considering the mood of an electorate not in tune with
war, finding a peaceful resolution to the situation in Iraq would
merit President Bush football’s highest honor.

On the other hand, if the President blows an opportunity to achieve a
goal, he fumbles.  For example, the President will fumble if he makes
a decision to start war with Iraq before the inspectors have finished
their work.  Then he must wait a significant period of time to get the
ball back to have a chance to make a gain in the polls.

Similarly, the president may have his plans intercepted by a group at
odds with the public will.  If he allows his fellow oilmen to dictate
his policy with Iraq, his pass for public policy will be intercepted
and he would be forced back to the sidelines for a while.

Achievement of a minor goal would be worth a field goal (3 points). 
Maybe Bush will find a material breach by Iraq but decide to put off
going to war in Iraq.  Or, perhaps another issue, like North Korea,
will distract him to the point where he no longer sees Iraq as the
most pressing matter.  The public should give partial credit for such
a decision.

President Bush must consider the public’s agenda of peace with Iraq
and its clout in rewarding or punishing him based on his policies.  He
may even have to ignore his own agenda or the urgings of groups loyal
to him.  In any event, when the public keeps score of the Bush
Administration, it cannot lose political football.

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