Opening remarks at the American Association of Political Consultants conference

by John Maxwell Hamilton

Nov. 15, 1999

My favorite equation for predicting a president's greatness has these factors: IQ, years in office, achievement, drive, tidiness, achievement motive, height, attractiveness and something called the Zeitgeist factor, which relates to the nature of the times during which the president serves. National crises are better than calm periods when it comes to demonstrating presidential greatness. 

An academic made up this equation. But I like it anyway. This is because the only thing an aspiring president has control over is tidiness--and being tidy in this particular formula is a minus, not a plus. Otherwise greatness is up to the fates.  The message to a candidate is that once you get elected, you might as well sit back, enjoy the experience, and let the White House staff pick up after you.

The members of the American Association of Political Consultants do much of the political picking up in our nation. They play a major role in shaping the greatness of our leaders -- and, if I may say so, in occasionally making them seem less great.

I offer this comment not as criticism, but as the highest sort of compliment...an acknowledgement of the power of political consultants.

Political consulting is one of the most important and least understood aspects of our political process. It has reached a point in its development that it deserves sustained, thoughtful attention. 

By deciding to hold this meeting in connection with a university, Ray Strother has given us an opportunity for such attention. For political consultants, this meeting is an invitation to step back and ponder what they do--and what they should do. For scholars, it is an invitation to be relevant.

Above all, a meeting like this is an opportunity to think about best practice. By this I do not mean expedient practice.

I believe that the day is not far off when ethics discussions will dominate these meetings. A look at the agenda for this year shows that such considerations are already of great importance. 

I hope that academics will play an ever larger role in that debate. Our school certainly hopes to do its part through its efforts on media and politics. 

Next fall we launch the only doctorate in the country focused exclusively on the theme of media and public affairs. And I am pleased to announce this morning that on January 1, 2000, the Manship School will launch the Center for Media and Public Affairs, which will be dedicated to helping elevate our civic discourse. A good example of the activity that will be undertaken by the center is the book that is before you, The Manship School Guide to Political Communication.

Saint Augustine said, "What is a political regime, when devoid of justice, but organized crime." 

Justice. That is the watchword for our school -- really for all of us. A healthy democracy is based on social justice, civic due process. We have a choice, to promote justice or to treat democracy as a license to be reckless.  

So, on that note, I welcome you all -- practitioners and scholars. And look forward to a discourse that moves us ahead.