Independents win the day on budget fight and no one noticed

Many reporters, journalist, commentators, talking heads and pundits all admit that 25% of the Republican base will not get anyone elected when it comes to the general elections yet that is the only group that they concentrate on.  I could never figure that out but then the direction of media has always confused even the best of us.  As reported by  Jim Kuhnhenn of the Associated Press in his article titled Federal shutdown avoided, 2012 budget fight looms, “A last-minute budget deal forged amid bluster and tough bargaining averted an embarrassing federal shutdown, cut billions in spending and provided the first major test of the divided government that voters ushered in five months ago.  Working late into Friday night, congressional and White House negotiators finally agreed on a plan to pay for government operations through the end of September while trimming $38.5 billion in spending.  Lawmakers then approved a measure to keep the government running for a few more days while the details of the new spending plan are written into legislation.  Actual approval of the deal is expected in the middle of next week.”

Pundits, contributors and experts in the field of politics all were looking at the winners and losers in the fight; they all were trying to be the first to answer the question as to what will happen next.  In my opinion they all failed, not because they could not predict the future but because they keep missing the point of these negotiations and compromises.  They look at it as who is positioning themselves better for re-election or to avoid a primary challenger.  For Senator Harry Reid or Speaker John Boehner this may be the case but again, I say to you for President Barack Obama, it is not his primary concern.  Imagine this; you are hired to clean up a very big mess left by the person you replaced.  Knowing that every decision is going to upset somebody, which way do you go?  Republicans say this way and Democrats say that way.  Each has their own agenda and a “take no prisoner attitude”.  No true leader can ever govern in a situation like that so you seek the middle ground.  When you get there you meet Americans who have always been there and they welcome you because if any one wishes to lead, that is where they all must come.

Welcome to the home of Independents, a group who say that they do not care who gets credit for accomplishments and they do not grade politicians based on what they have done for their party.  Politicians are seen as effective if their decision shows their proclaimed love for this country and it benefits those who voted you into office in the first place.  Independents make up about 37% of the voters and as long as you are putting politics and personal agendas ahead of doing the people’s business, you will forever alienate them but put country first and they will stand strong with you.  Seeking a compromise and giving whatever concessions you need to make sure that the country will continue to move forward is the apex of winning independents.  Being humble vice overbearing is the key.

Take into consideration that the Tea Party may be the base of the Republican Party but they only make up a small percentage.  There are still “real” Republicans out there that do not condone the actions or impulses of that percentage.  The “real” Republicans will not be lead by the nose as some seem to be and therefore will stay home or vote for the opposition.  With the independent vote plus those who choose to have a voice from the “real” Republicans  and those few Democrats that have come to understand that it’s not about them winning but us winning, no one with a “slash and burn attitude” will survive in the jungle of Washington.