By Chris Finnie
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A lot has been said about the legacy of senator John McCain since his death. And, whether people agreed with his policies and the votes he cast in office, there are a couple of things everybody seems to agree on about him. He was willing to work across the aisle to get things done that he believed in. He ran clean campaigns for president, and when he lost, was gracious in defeat.
I once ran for office. In 2009 I ran for chair of the California Democratic Party. I talked to a young woman who got me started in politics before I did it. She said, “If you decide to run, make me proud of you.” When I asked what that entailed, she replied, “Run a clean campaign.”
There was no doubt that the other candidate was going to win. And I had no objection to him as chair. But some of my fellow delegates were upset there was only candidate, feeling their votes meant nothing. I’d also seen some problems during my time as delegate. I hoped that, by providing even a little competition, my opponent would be forced to go out and campaign for the office. And he’d hear about them too.
As I expected, he beat me handily. But he was a gracious winner. In his acceptance speech, he committed to implement my platform. He later thanked me for running a clean campaign. When he ran again, he asked for my endorsement and I gave it to him.
Politics Doesn’t Have to be Dirty
People have the impression that all politicians are dirty. That politics itself is an inherently nasty, brutish affair—especially political campaigns.
I worked on a congressional campaign for the 2006 election. Jerry McNerney won that campaign and serves in the House to this day. He was a thoroughly honorable man then and I believe him to be still. We’re fortunate to have honorable men representing us locally in Mark Stone and Bill Monning. I’ve known both for years and admire them.
Media tends to focus on the more sensational side of politics because it boosts ratings. That includes social media. But politics don’t have to be that way. I know that personally. So did John McCain.