Steve Schmidt has been a Democrat for only a day and already....

[Miguelito Loveless]

258. Judging others can be fraught with peril

And yes, I am making a judgement call about Schmidt. The call is to be wary, and remind folk of his past. Is it fair for me to judge others? After all who am I?

Other than voting and volunteering and one stint on a state select committee, I am NOT on par with Steve Schmidt. He has been in the past a tool of power brokers, and a hired gun for campaigns pushing odious policies for vile people. That gives me the right, in my opinion, to make a judgement call. Does my opinion matter? Well, based on the responses so far, no it doesn't, and it is greatly resented.

Such is life.

You watched him on MSNBC over the last few years when he changed direction, whereas I watched his handiwork over two decades and saw what he did and where he came from. He may have mended his ways, and for what he has done in the last year, and his move to "our side", he has earned our gratitude. I would just point out that he has been richly rewarded for his actions, and has now gained in power and influence within our ranks. If his motives are pure, then we are stronger, if they are instead "pragmatic", then we should keep him at arms length, as he is our ally only until a better offer comes along.

Now I put quote marks around pragmatism, because the word has two meanings. In the mouth of many politicians, "pragmatism" means selling out principle if the price is right. To you or I, pragmatism means being realistic about what we can accomplish and willing to reasonably compromise as long as the compromise still advances our goal, and does require us to violate our principles. And yes, some times that is a HARD call.

I hope I am wrong, that I am just a cynical, suspicious old man. But I came by my suspicions and cynicism honestly over four decades as a voter and activist.

My best to you and your family, and my hope that yours is the correct read on this situation.