Political observers have been left scratching their heads over the display of political amateurism by Dr. Richardson. Many had seen him as someone motivated by higher principles than grubby politics. They must be disappointed in him now. His rambling, incoherent press release left readers searching for clues as to his real motives, because they were hard to discern in his piece. It was long on empty platitudes and choc-full of contradictions. The good doctor declared he wanted to promote stable government and avoid the unstable government inherent in coalition politics, then promptly turned around and declared himself an independent Member of Parliament, creating another faction, thereby adding to the unstable government he claims to be against. The doctor thus contradicts himself. People voted for the doctor precisely because they thought he was a man of principle, but by jumping ship without stating a principled reason for doing so he has left himself open to the charge that he is motivated by selfish ambition. After all, if one is intent on promoting stable government, there are many other better ways and means of doing so than jumping ship which, if anything, promotes unstable government. He must regret issuing that press release. It should promptly be replaced with something more honest, or at least, more coherent. The move makes him look fickle at best, a hypocrite at worst. Politically savvy it most certainly is not. It reeks of rank political opportunism. This move damages the good doctor's credibility, because in people's minds, ship jumpers, are associated with political crooks and traitors; unreliable and untrustworthy characters. A good many voted for him precisely because as a doctor, he had gained their trust. Now he has decided to follow in the foot- steps of Romain Laville.
He obviously wants to play the game, and no one begrudges him that, but one must at least be aware of the fundamentals if one doesn't wish to be taken to the cleaners.
The first rule:
By making his move now, the doctor has placed himself at the mercy of Theo Heyliger. He violated the first rule of politics: Always negotiate from strength! Theo must be rubbing his hands with glee at the blunder the doctor has committed. Theo has to offer him nothing in return for his declaration of love. Theo's UPP/DP coalition already enjoys a comfortable majority in Parliament so the doctor is a fifth wheel. He has nothing of value to offer. He has no leverage and nowhere to go. If Theo were to reject him, he would be left in the political wilderness. He may not know it yet, but he has become a political beggar, one step away from a political prostitute. Theo can now play him like a violin. He has nowhere to go. He surely cannot return to the National Alliance and after declaring himself openly for the UPP he will only look foolish if he attempts to join some other party. He does not have the political wherewithal to form his own party. The doctor negotiated with an extremely weak hand. Now that he has played his hand so poorly the question is: will he be able to convince his voters to jump ship along with him? His clumsy foray into political gamesmanship has badly damaged his credibility. He will now have to dig deep into his doctor's satchel to find the medicine to cure himself of a bad case of political amateuritis.
The example of Gracita and Frans Richardson
A look at the (still) unfolding careers of Gracita and Frans is instructive. Both are operating from positions of strength. It was because Gracita had a full-fledged political party behind her that she was able to negotiate the number two position on the UPP list. She had leverage and bargaining power. Frans, likewise, operates from a position of strength. As the former number two vote getter and deputy leader of the National Alliance, he has the votes, and therefore the clout, to start his own party. The doctor has none of these attributes. He will have to beg and grovel for a place on the UPP list. Theo knows better than to dare place him ahead of the party faithful who will certainly not take kindly to a carpet bagger leap frogging them on the long list of sycophants at the beggars' banquet.
Name Withheld Upon Author's Request
