Wilder Vs. Washington

It has been said that, when he heard that George Washington was voluntarily stepping down as leader of the United States, King George III of England declared, “If that is true, he is the greatest man in the world.”

As to whether Washington truly was the greatest man of his day, there may be some debate. But that he was a great man – and an ideal example to future generations of what principled American leadership ought to be – is beyond dispute.

I couldn’t help but think of such things as I recently read an editorial in the Nashville City Paper about Tennessee’s Senate Speaker/Lieutenant Governor John Wilder.

Mr. Wilder, of course, is the longest serving leader in any legislative body in the United States, having held his powerful position since 1971. And his experience provides a distinct contrast with that of General/President Washington. While Washington astounded the world of his day by first giving up his position as the nation’s military leader, and then as the nation’s civil leader, Wilder has become a sad example of a fading star desperate to hold onto power at any cost.

Witness the deal-making that went on following the 2004 elections, in which Republicans won a majority in Tennessee’s Senate for the first time in 140 years. The people of Tennessee, who put that Republican majority in place, could reasonably expect the men and women they elected to replace Democrat Wilder with one of their (the Republicans) own.

But it was not to be, as alleged Republican Senators Michael Williams and Tim Burchett put personal ambitions and loyalties ahead of their sense of loyalty to their constituents by casting their lots with Mr. Wilder. And, his need for power undiminished by his advancing years, Mr. Wilder was all too happy to accept their support and, no doubt, reward it appropriately – as evidenced by Mr. Williams’ newfound status as President Pro Tem.

And now, as Tennessee’s government faces its worst scandal in at least a decade, one can’t be blamed for wondering if he is not seeing the fruit of Mr. Wilder’s “leadership” in the General Assembly. The ethical rot that has resulted in criminal indictments of three Senators and one Representative (with others possibly following) did not begin overnight. The lack of significant ethics regulations and their enforcement upon the legislature is a problem that has been festering for quite some time. And whose face is most consistently seen in the legislative leadership pictures over the past thirty years?

Understand, this is not to say, necessarily, that Senator Wilder is guilty of the same indiscretions of the Fords, Crutchfields, Bowers, and Newtons. But it does suggest a significant lack of leadership on the part of the one person in the General Assembly who has had more time and opportunity to clean up the ethical mess on Capitol Hill than any other single individual.

Now we are hearing, as noted in NCP, that “if Mr. Wilder were forced to step down, he would never recover from the emotional hardship of giving up his powerful position.” While the editorial writers at NCP say this is understandable, this writer has to wonder if a certain Virginian, who could have become a virtual monarch of America if he so desired (many desired it for him), would agree with that sentiment.

John Wilder’s desperate cling to power, whether it be for prestige or influence, may in fact be the single greatest indicator that he is no longer fit to hold the office he so cherishes. It is sad to see a man of advancing years be forced to give up something so dear to him against his will. But then, it is sad to see a man or woman of any age so devoted to maintaining their own prestige at the expense of the state they claim to serve.