The O’Toole Chronicles: Climbing the Ladder

No one alive can always be an angel
When something goes wrong, I seem to be bad
I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
O Lord, please do not let me be misunderstood
– ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’, Animals and Nina Simone

The rise and fall in politics is really remarkably cool to observe. I have toiled in the vineyard for forty years, and I have seen many climb the political ladder, and I have seen many fall headfirst, right on the ladder they climbed up. But what is the most reliable “wow” factor is the pronounced change in one’s personality once the climb begins.

The transformation as you climb, rung by rung, is subtle at first. But if you take a step back (think of the last scene in the movie, Usual suspects) and look at the entire board and the entire journey, you can’t help but see the once well-meaning novice, who was pure of heart and motive, slowly making the inevitable transformative journey.

We all start innocently and few of us escape the political gauntlet unnoticed.
These newcomers to the game are fresh-faced and brimming with excitement and enthusiasm. They take instructions well and welcome every part of politics. They really appreciate sitting at the adult table and the breathless appreciation is noticeable.

As the climb progresses and the participants receive some signs of success and gain some individual recognition and a sense of purpose, you see the little signs of ego appear, and at the same time self-consciousness erodes.

As political ambition and power grow, so does trust and, in an inverse relationship, appreciation and respect for the game and the seasoned gamers who helped you get there.

As I’ve said many times before, everyone in politics got there because of the hard work of others, and many at the top are quick to forget the team effort and collaboration between generations. Do you want to know how it ends, more often than not? I’m afraid to report, not good.

The head-turning ascent of these prodigies sooner or later hits a crest and stops, circles for a moment and then plummets back to Earth, like Icarus flying too close to the sun. The reality is that these political shooting stars have never spent enough time learning the basics of politics and life.

Like a deep-sea diver who shoots to the surface too quickly, too little training and too little respect for the laws of physics and gravity inevitably lead to the bends. I find real life examples are very helpful in getting the point across.

I recently had breakfast with a former power player who held one of the most important and powerful jobs in the state. Due to ego and political missteps, he found himself friendless in New Jersey overnight. We talked about his meteoric rise to power and his sudden fall from grace. He didn’t understand 100% that he alone was responsible for his downfall, and at the same time he couldn’t remember the many others who helped and supported him to get him to the promised land.

Another quick story. It was 1999 and I was an Assemblyman, County Chair and advisor to the then very popular County Executive. We got a call from Trenton saying they wanted some qualified names for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. We called some of the top lawyers and shortlisted two candidates. We recommended the deputy administrator, who had previous experience as a prosecutor in two counties. The candidate welcomed our support and promised to cooperate with the administration.

Fast forward: On the day the DA was sworn in, she failed to invite many of us to her riotous coronation. We quickly lost all contact with this accuser, and she made headlines with her colossally stupid missteps. We soon heard rumors that she wanted to run for governor. After a few more reported incidents, rumors broke out that the Attorney General would replace the office. Strangely enough, after that rumor reached the Hall of Records, and out of the blue, I received a call from the distressed prosecutor. She called and asked if she could meet her for lunch.

I chose Seabra’s at 21 and reluctantly met this official. Needless to say, she lost some of her recent confidence and swagger over lunch and was in desperate need of help. She looked at me like a child and said: can you help me? At that moment I thought of Salvatore Tessio The godfather and channeled my dear Tom Hagen. I said, “I can’t do it.” Without fuss or emotion, I paid the bill and walked away. Days later, the attorney general took over and another character fell from the political ladder.

Politics is a fickle business and there are a few hard and fast rules. Watch your way up and be kind to those helping because you will need them when you start the climb down, which is only a matter of time. In the meantime, enjoy the climb and bring as many people along for the joyful ride as possible.